Ex-boxing champion suffers serious eye injuries in cooking accident

A former boxing champion is recovering after suffering serious injuries in a frightening accident at his home.

Ex-two division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux was severely burned at his Miami home this week when a pressure cooker exploded while he was cooking Cuban black beans, his manager, Alex Boronte, revealed to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger. Boiling water splashed into his eyes, severely burning both of his corneas and causing him to lose 80 percent of his vision. Rigondeaux also suffered burns to his chest.

Boronte does add though that there is optimism about the Cuban fighter’s recovery. Corneas generally start to regenerate within 48 to 72 hours, and Rigondeaux can already see sunlight and shadows. Boronte also says that Rigondeaux’s recovery over the next week to ten days will determine his future and whether he can continue his boxing career.

Coppinger’s story contains other quotes from Boronte and further details about Rigondeaux’s accident. You can read it in full here.

The 41-year-old Rigondeaux previously held the WBA bantamweight title from 2020 to 2021 and the undisputed super bantamweight title from 2013 to 2017. He is best known for his super bantamweight title win over Nonito Donaire in 2013 as well as his 2017 bout against Vasiliy Lomachenko, which Rigondeaux ended up losing in a controversial finish.

Rigondeaux, who is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist, holds a career record of 20-3 with 13 knockouts. He had just fought Vincent Astrolabio in the United Arab Emirates on Feb. 26, losing by unanimous decision.

Photo: Sean Michael Ham/Premier Boxing Champions