Famed Cuban boxer Rigondeaux trying to fight off ‘Father Time’ in Friday’s main event

Renowned fighters continue to wrestle with an intoxicant that remains difficult to cleanse.

Expanded separation from career peaks and championship glory doesn’t matter. Permanent retirement faces its obstacle because of the obvious allure. There is always another ring opportunity and the seemingly endless chase for additional title belts, advanced boxing age and reduced skills notwithstanding.

Guillermo Rigondeaux’s boxing career features the multiple decorations that lifted him to elite status. And, like many champions that preceded and will follow him, Rigondeaux is intent on challenging Father Time.

The 42-year-old Rigondeaux will resume his career Friday night.

Rigondeaux, a double Olympic gold medalist while representing his native Cuba and two-division professional world champion, will fight in the main event of a card at Hialeah Park and Casino.

“Like everything, youth ends at some point,” Rigondeaux said in Spanish during a media gathering Tuesday. “But I believe I still have sufficient talent to continue fighting.”

In his first appearance at the famed race track and city of a predominantly Cuban population, Rigondeaux (20-3, 13 KOs) will face Colombia’s Jesús Martinez. Rigondeaux enters the ring Friday on a two-fight losing streak, including a 10-round decision against Vincent Astrolabio in his recent bout last February.

“I don’t know much about my opponent,” Rigondeaux said. “For every opponent you prepare differently. Everybody knows that in all my training camps I prepare 100 percent.”

Rigondeaux’s career nearly ended and not as a byproduct of the losing skid. Last summer, Rigondeaux suffered facial burns while cooking in his Miami home.

“It was a bit concerning at first but I have put that behind me,” Rigondeaux said. “Obviously, there was immediate fear. Thank God the damage wasn’t as intense so the recuperation went quickly.”

Rigondeaux believes that a victory over Martinez (33-17-1, 16 KOs), coupled with his career accomplishments, could move him rapidly to another title opportunity. Japan’s Naoya Inoue - considered one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters - is the reigning undisputed bantamweight champion.

“I am confident of becoming champion at 118 pounds again,” Rigondeaux said. “That will be the ultimate satisfaction.

“When I was 20 years old nobody could top me. Yes, time passes and you have to work even harder to prove that you can still compete at the highest level. I train with many young fighters and they are impressed at how I maintain my energy in the gym. On Friday, you can tell me if I still have what it takes to continue or for me to walk away for good.”

The Rigondeaux-Martinez fight headlines a 10-round bout card with the first fight scheduled to start at 7. For ticket information, visit https://hialeahparkcasino.com