By Ben Jacobs

Ready for his first fight since November 2015, Guillermo Rigondeaux (16-0, 10 KOs) is in the final days of his training camp in Miami before his team switches to Europe to prepare for the July 16 clash against James ‘Jazza’ Dickens (22-1, 7 KOs).

The clash for the WBA Super World super bantamweight title was originally scheduled to take place in March, but due to a Visa issue was not able to occur.  Now with the Visa issue settled, Rigondeaux’s trainer, Pedro Díaz gave a training camp update to krikya360.com.

“We’re expecting to head over there in early July to get used to the climate and the time difference.  We were thinking of going to Germany to train a couple of weeks before the fight, but we shall see in the next few days,” Díaz said.

While it has been difficult for Rigondeaux to continue preparations for such an extensive time without a fight lined up, Pedro insisted that his man’s professionalism has ensured no ill effects, mentally or physically for the 35-year-old.

“He’s focused on July 16, he wants to put on a good show.  He carried on training after the last date for the fight didn’t come off due to the Visa issue.  He’s very serious with his training.

“It would be difficult for any athlete to be out of the ring for so long but a lot of fighters do not want to fight Rigondeaux.  And, a lot of journalists, respectable ones, with knowledge of the sport speak of Rigondeaux as a boxer who doesn’t sell tickets, but his record shows that people don’t want to fight him due to his quality.

“Dickens is a very good competitor, he’s a fighter that we respect.  First of all, we respect him because he accepted the fight with Rigondeux and also for the quality that he has.  The quality of both men means we are expecting a good show in front of this great British boxing public.”

Also in training camp is fellow Cuban Yunieski González (16-2, 12 KOs) who impressed fans last year in his controversial decision loss to Jean Pascal.

“Yunieski González will be fighting on our show in Miami on August 6, not only him but also Tyrone Spong and Alexis Angulo,” Pedro revealed.  “However, they will stay in Miami training with my team whilst I am in Europe with Rigondeaux.”