Guillermo Rigondeaux Backing Vasiliy Lomachenko Against Teofimo Lopez

Guillermo Rigondeaux is backing old opponent Vasily Lomachenko to come out on top against Teofimo Lopez.

Lomachenko defends his lightweight titles against Lopez this Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. With Lopez’s IBF title on the line as well, the winner of the fight will notably be unifying the lightweight division.

Many observers feel this will be Lomachenko’s toughest test yet with some even believing the younger Lopez will pull off the upset. But as far as Rigondeaux is concerned, Lomachenko’s experience in facing superior opponents should give him the edge.

“It’s going to be a very good fight,'” Rigondeaux told George Ebro (via Boxing Scene). “But I think Lomachenko will win. Teofimo hasn’t fought as many good people as Lomachenko. Lomachenko has faced superior opponents.”

Rigondeaux, of course, is one of the top opponents Lomachenko has beaten when they met in December 2017. However, Rigondeaux doesn’t view himself as one of those top opponents.

“I don’t land on that Lomachenko list [of top fighters he’s beaten], because I’m actually an 118-pounder and he was a 130-pounder,” Rigondeaux said.

Regardless, Lomachenko has beaten other top fighters such as Jorge Linares, Gary Russell Jr. and Luke Campbell to name a few. And while he has trained with Lopez before and views him as a good boxer, the Cuban still thinks Lomachenko will come out on top.

“Teofimo must prepare thoroughly, I know he is a good boxer, because he has done sparring with me, when he was 126-pounds,” Rigondeaux added. “He’s a good boy and I hope he does a good job. It’s going to be a big fight, but I think Lomachenko wins.”

Do you agree with Rigondeaux?