Rigondeaux wins pro debut

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux won his professional debut with a third-round technical knockout over Juan Noriega on Friday night.

Rigondeaux, who defected from Cuba in February, was not as busy with his punches but still wore down Noriega in their junior featherweight bout at the Fontainebleau Hotel and Resort.

In fact, referee Sam Burgos stopped the fight at 1:09 of the third round after Rigondeaux landed a right to the head without any follow-up shots. Noriega, of Danville, Ark., didn’t dispute Burgos’ call.

“Everything turned out fine,” Rigondeaux said. “My shots landed exactly where I wanted them.

Rigondeaux, 28, immediately showed his dominance when he dropped Noriega with a right to the head 30 seconds into the bout for the fight’s only knockdown.

Rigondeaux carefully measured his punches and the bout had its moments of inaction.