We’ll see soon whether Guillermo Rigondeaux has really turned into a slugger.
The noted Cuban slickster will move down in weight to face Panamanian Liborio Solis in a 12-round bantamweight contest on the Tony Harrison-Jermell Charlo II card Dec. 21 in Ontario, California, it was announced today in a press release.
Rigondeaux (19-1, 13 knockouts) has been roundly criticized for putting on dull performances. However, in his last fight, he surprised viewers by staying in the pocket and trading punches with Julio Ceja, who was stopped by a whistling left hand in the eighth round of a junior featherweight fight he was winning on the cards.
After the bout, the victor seemed to suggest that his tactics were a response to his critics. It could be that at age 39, Rigondeaux no longer has the legs to evade his opponents for 12 rounds.
As for the 37-year-old Solis (30-5-1, 14 KOs), this will be his first fight on U.S. soil. He has dropped decisions to former titleholders Shinsuke Yamanka and Jamie McDonnell but is riding a five-fight win streak.
The card will also feature hard-hitting Nigerian heavyweight prospect Efe Ajagba (11-0, 9 KOs) in a 10-rounder against Iago Kiladze (26-4-1, 18 KOs).