Gary Hyde is one of the boxing world’s most flamboyant, outspoken, and respected boxing managers. He currently manages Olympic gold medalist, Guillermo Rigondeaux. In this interview, Hyde discusses the future for Rigondeaux, which includes his desire to fight the top fighters at 122 and a possible catch weight fight with superstar, Vasyl Lomachenko. Hyde also shares his thoughts on the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao super bout, including his desire to see a rematch and much more. Here is what Gary Hyde had to say.
Robert Brown: Can you start by mentioning some of the names of the stable of fighters that you manage?
Gary Hyde: I currently manage Guillermo Rigondeaux, Hassan N’Dam, Youri Kalenga, Levan Ghvamichava, Marcos Forestal and Con Sheehan.
Robert Brown: Guillermo Rigondeaux has not been in the ring since December of last year, any idea when we will see him back in the ring and who would you like the opponent to be?
Gary Hyde: Rigo fought December 31, 2014, which is less than five months ago. Hopefully, we will announce a fight soon, as we are working on some possibilities.
Robert Brown: The super bantamweight division has plenty of big names, such as: Scott Quigg, Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton. Which of these guys would you like Rigondeaux to fight first?
Gary Hyde: I would like him to fight all of the top fighters at 122 but none of these fighters will fight Rigo.
Robert Brown: Why do you think that the win against Nonito Donaire was not the launching pad to Rigondeaux’s career it perhaps should have been?
Gary Hyde: It is very simple. Top Rank and HBO were bitterly disappointed after Rigo beat up Donaire. Both ridiculed Rigo for exposing Donaire and they are the culprits for this.
Robert Brown: What were your thoughts on the mega bout between Mayweather and Pacquiao that took place recently?
Gary Hyde: I admire both fighters but the fight did not live up to expectations. Mayweather did what he had to do and Manny was limited because of his injury. All in all, though, it grabbed the imagination of the whole world and this shows that boxing is an amazing sport unlike any other.
Robert Brown: Do you think the recent revelations surrounding Pacquiao’s shoulder are enough to warrant a rematch?
Gary Hyde: I would love to see a rematch and it was obvious from Pacquiao’s attacking style in round 4 that he could cause Mayweather some problems. If his shoulder was 100-percent, I believe it would be a thrilling fight, edge-of-the-seat contest that warrants a rematch.
Robert Brown: How do you feel about your Irish compatriot, Andy Lee, retaining his world title against Peter Quillin and how far can he go?
Gary Hyde: Andy has gone as far as he needs to go. He’s on top of the world and he’s done it the hard way. We are immensely proud of his achievements.
Robert Brown: Do you think fighters such as Quigg, Frampton and Santa Cruz are afraid to fight Rigondeax?
Gary Hyde: I don’t believe that the fighters are afraid to fight Rigo. They are all great fighters but their promoters, trainers and managers are not so great.
Robert Brown: Would Rigondeaux consider a move up to perhaps fight Olympic standout Vasyl Lomachenko, should he not get a fight at 122?
Gary Hyde: We have already stated that Rigo would fight Lomachenko at a catch weight of 124. Rigo is a small guy who has competed at 122 all his life. He cannot move up to 126 where his opponents would be over 140 on fight night.
Robert Brown: Do you have a final message to fight fans?
Gary Hyde: We would appreciate it if fans could help us apply even more pressure on the other 122 lbs. fighters to fight Rigo and put pressure on the IBF and WBC to order unification fights between Rigondeaux-Santa Cruz and Rigondeaux-Frampton. Thank you.
Manny won.
Floyd was an easy opponent for manny. It shows floyd fights are fixed
Hyde is 100% wrong.
If Manny was 100 % expect Floyd doubling his running, hugging, potshotting, and clinching.
Floyd was downed 4th round WATCH it again…
if manny was 100%,you expect a more active runner and clinching
Fight would be the same. Boring…. Who cares for part2?… Sure, I dont.
Even if Pacquiao is 100% healthy.. Still, this will be a B-O-R-I-N-G Fight. Mayweather is a dancer and a clincher and not a fighter. So better say NO to Rematch!!!
Floyd knows how to win because he has a lot of demands favor to him the advantage is all of to him Manny agreed! everything in Floyd favor, Floyd knew that M.P. Was right shoulder injured according to his intelligent warfare everything was reported from day 1 up to the final countdown.
Floyd lost but won due to his Judges & Referee puppets who always put it all on him even when its evident that he’s been beaten. Wake up , step up Boxing Board. We need to watch fair fights. A rematch will prove the case but just make sure Ref and Judges are not Americans or else it’ll be the same ending even when Floyd hits the canvas, they’ll claim he’s won.