Cat-quick Cuban an elusive target

MANILA, Philippines - The fighter called The Jackal turned out to be quick as a cat and no matter the pressure Nonito Donaire put in the ring, Guillermo Rigondeaux managed to keep a step or two away except for a dramatic moment in the 10th round when the Cuban was dropped by a powerful left straight.

Rigondeaux, 32, is nicknamed The Jackal but although he didn’t show the ferocity of a predator, his quickness proved to be a factor in making it difficult for Donaire to find a clear target through 12 rounds of their WBO/WBA superbantamweight unification showdown at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City yesterday morning (Manila time). He didn’t engage and instead, fought cautiously, leaving Donaire chasing an elusive prey. When they finally had a close exchange, Donaire floored Rigondeaux, showing why the Cuban avoided any kind of toe-to-toe confrontation.

Rigondeaux earned his sobriquet after defecting from Cuba to Miami in 2009. “There’s a guy named Don Francisco who is on ‘Sabado Gigante’ (a popular Spanish-language variety show in Miami) and there’s a guy named ‘El Chacal’ who just eliminates guys,” said Rigondeaux in a Top Rank profiler. “They do singing contests on the show and he comes out and gets rid of people. They started calling me that when I got here in the US.” In the same way, Rigondeaux implied that’s what he does – he eliminates people in the ring.

So far in a brief professional career, Rigondeaux has been untouchable, compiling a 12-0 record, with 8 KOs. He frustrated Donaire by running away like a cat with its tail between the legs. Donaire couldn’t pin down Rigondeaux and wasn’t able to cut the ring off from his moving target. The Cuban threw punches sporadically but apparently, with enough frequency to convince the three judges to score it his way. He beat Donaire by a unanimous decision as John Stewart saw it 114-113, Tom Schreck 115-112 and Julie Lederman 116-111.

Although Donaire was the clear aggressor, it was Rigondeaux who dictated tempo by his movement. Twice, New York referee Benjy Esteves, Jr. warned the Cuban for employing dirty tactics to throw off Donaire’s rhythm – pushing the Filipino’s head down from behind as he charged in then throwing a sucker punch. Once, he clamped a headlock on Donaire. There were low blows, too, as Rigondeaux tried to establish control by fighting out of the rule-box.

Rigondeaux wanted Donaire to look for one punch. He didn’t relish the thought of being on the receiving end of a constant barrage. Besides, it’s easier to defend against a fighter who’s just thinking of loading up for a single shot. Donaire took the bait and fell into the Cuban’s not-so-tender trap.

In his previous outing last September, Rigondeaux dropped Robert Marroquin twice en route to scoring an easy unanimous 12-round decision in Las Vegas. The Ring Magazine said “the two-time Olympic gold medalist continued his ascent in the sport, showing off his deft movement and crisp counterpunching against another overmatched opponent.”

Against Donaire, Rigondeaux was far from the aggressive battler who powdered Marroquin. He fought smartly and took away Donaire’s flow. It wasn’t an exciting bout because Rigondeaux refused to exchange. Fans booed the Cuban for backtracking and fighting defensively but that’s what he knew he had to do to win.

Dan Rafael, writing on ESPN.com, explained Rigondeaux’ style with precision, saying, “He can do basically whatever he wants, whenever he wants inside the ring ... he is so poised, fast and effective in every area of boxing that it is scary ... he doesn’t always make for exciting fights, one of the knocks on him, because he just does not need to get into a battle.”

Rigondeaux was born in La Prueba, a little town in Santiago de Cuba. He grew up with three brothers and sisters in a farm where his father grew coffee. “I started boxing when I was 13,” he said. “I’m the only boxer in the family. I thought I could fight and I wanted to do it so I got involved. I went to the gym on my own one day. I’m naturally lefthanded.” Rigondeaux lived in the Cuban national training camp called “La Finca” in Havana for nine years, moving in when he was 17. He is married to Farah Colina with a nine-year-old son Guillermo, Jr. and a 17-year-old stepson Julio Cesar.

Rigondeaux attempted to defect in 2007 during the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro but was thwarted. He finally escaped two years later and landed in Miami. Since Cuba does not recognize pro boxing, Rigondeaux could only make a living out of the sport if he defected.