The Cuban boxing great had a year to forget in 2017 but with the start of the new year upon us, will he have one last run at a world title?

I honestly don’t see why not.

As his conqueror Vasyl Lomachenko even admitted last year after beating him, Rigondeaux was a much smaller man fighting at the weight that the pair boxed at.

He was always going to be up against it with the two weight class jump up. Especially against a noble art wizard like his counterpart from the Ukraine.

Perhaps 2018 might be one of the final years we see the great Rigondeaux in the ring. At this advanced stage of his career he doesn’t have many fights left, one would have thought.

But he is still a name in boxing and if for example he fought at featherweight, the long talked about fight with Carl Framtpon is still an option if he decided to pursue it.

The main thing I think he’ll need to get over is the mental disappointment and anguish of having to retire on his stool last time out due to a hand injury.

Boxing fans were not pleased at the time with the outcome of the fight. To put it mildly.

Considering it was expected to be the best match up of pure boxing skill of the year.

That aside, 2018 is a new year and a fresh start for the Cuban maestro.

He still has a lot to give the sport and this writer for one hopes he carries on – at least for one more bout.