Donaire vs Rigondeaux: Manager trying to stop Rigondeaux from switching trainers

Guillermo Rigondeaux wants to switch trainers ahead of by far the biggest fight of his pro career, but manager Gary Hyde is trying to stop that move, saying it's purely a financial concern, and nothing to do with boxing.

Rigondeaux would be replacing Jorge Rubio with Pedro Diaz. He'll face Nonito Donaire on April 13, a fight that isn't yet totally finalized, but is expected to be soon.

"Rigo has already left two world class trainers, Freddie Roach and Ronnie Shields. As Rigo's manager I have to protect his interests and changing trainers going into the biggest fight of his career is not in his interest. Jorge Rubio and [conditioning coach] DJ Montanocordoba have transformed Rigo from the fighter that fought Cordoba in November 2010 to one of the hottest names in boxing."

Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KO) penny-pinching (well, it's a lot more than pennies, but y'know) really isn't wise at this point in his career. If he thinks Diaz gives him the better chance to beat Donaire, that's one thing, but even then it's a big risk to go with a new team ahead of a fight like this one. Hyde is right about that.

If Rigondeaux comes up short here, he might not ever get another shot like this, in an HBO main event against one of the sport's most notable names. This is a guy who's been fighting on PPV undercards out of necessity. This is a huge opportunity for Rigondeaux, to say the very least.