Professional Career
On February 23, 2009, Rigondeaux was announced to have defected along with 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist Yudel Johnson, Yordanis Despaigne and Yuniel Dorticos and is now in Miami and is managed by Irish man Gary Hyde. He will be training in the same gym as Yuriorkis Gamboa, Erislandi Lara and Odlanier Solis. and will continue his career as a professional once he completes all the residency requirements. He left behind his wife Farah Colina, a 7 year old son and a 17 year old stepson in Cuba. He is also reportedly staying in the home of countryman and featherweight contender Yuriorkis Gamboa.
Rigondeaux won his first professional debut on May 22 with a third-round TKO over Juan Noriega in Miami. Although he did not maintain a busy punch volume, Rigondeaux still landed hard shots. Noriega barely countered Rigondeaux's punches and the referee found the opportunity to stop the fight after Rigondeaux connected with a solid right to the head. On July 17 he won his second pro fight against Robert Guillen by first round knock out. Rigondeaux wasn't active but he hit Guillen with a great hard counter punch to the body which left him rolling on the canvas in pain.
On September 18, Rigondeaux beat Giovanni Andrade by 3rd round TKO to win the NABA Super Bantamweight title, dropping Andrade once in each of rounds two and three.
On December 16, 2009 Rigondeaux won a Unanimous Decision over Lante Addy in 8 rounds, dropping Addy once in round one.
On February 5, 2010, Rigondeaux scored a 1st round Knockout against Adolfo Landeros, dropping Landeros with a hard left uppercut to the body.
Rigondeaux then signed a three-year contract with Bob Arum's Top Rank in July 2010. He is also co-promoted by Boris Arencibia's Caribe Promotions.
Read more about this topic: Guillermo Rigondeaux
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