Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko has described Guillermo Rigondeaux as the most technical fighter he ever faced in his career.
Back in December 2013, Ghana’s Agbeko, now 44, lost by 12-round decision to the gifted Cuban in a WBO junior featherweight title fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Agbeko (38-5, 28 KOs) says that even though he was not in the best shape psychologically when he fought the legendary Cuban, he still believes Rigondeaux proved to be an elite fighter during their encounter.
“I’ll say Guillermo Rigondeaux [was my best opponent] even though I wasn’t at my best when I fought him because there were things hanging on my neck so I couldn’t give my all,” said Agbeko during an interview with BoxingScene. “He was the most technical boxer I ever fought.
“I was working with a promoter who always made sure he fights his fighter before the boxer goes into the ring. So, Don King had always been my opponent before I get a fight.”
Agbeko had a successful career which saw him become a two-time IBF bantamweight champion between 2007 and 2010. He successfully defended his belt twice before losing to Colombia’s Yonnhy Perez in Oct. 2009. He then reclaimed the title a year later before two consecutive defeats to Abner Mares eight months ended his reign as world champion.
During Agbeko’s heyday he missed out on fighting Nonito Donaire (42-8, 28 KOs), a four-division titlist and someone Agbeko hailed as one of the best things to have happened to the bantamweight division.
“I missed out on fighting a lot of boxers. Nonito Donaire was active before I left boxing. He was around before I left but I had the opportunity to be among the top four bantamweights in the world. We had Showtime’s Super 4 tournament for all the best bantamweights that were available at the time and I was part (of that).
“It’s his dedication,” he says of Donaire. “He has dedicated himself to the sport. He’s pushing himself and he still has the passion which is what boxing is made up of. So long as his spirit hasn’t given up, he can always do something. I get surprised but he’s a great guy; he’s a top guy.”
Agbeko had a lot of great moments during a 22-year pro career which started in Accra, Ghana. When asked his favorite memory as a fighter, Agbeko chose the emphatic win over Nicaragua’s Luis Alberto Lopez which made him Ghana’s fifth world champ in 2007.
“It was like a dream come true,” he said. “You know, it’s one of the best moments for me. And then losing it and winning it back. Those two memories are unforgettable for me.”
As for his best performance, Agbeko said, “I can’t really say this or that. Maybe the Yonnhy Perez win, but I will say no. I can’t really (say), you know. My fight against Vic Darchinyan was a tough night but a beautiful night for me. It was a night that I had to stay on my toes to make sure I won the fight and I think I put in a lot of dedication that time to be able to win which was a very tough night for me. So, just like other nights, I can’t say this or that is the best night for me.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at bernardneequaye@gmail.com.