By Dan Ambrose: Fringe super bantamweight contender Teon Kennedy (17-1-2, 7 KO’s) will be facing his hardest test of his five-year pro career on Saturday night when he’ll be stepping up from the #14 WBA spot to face WBA World super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (9-0, 7 KO’s) on HBO pay per view.

Kennedy, 25, has much more pro experience compared to the 31-year-old Rigondeaux. However, Rigondeaux, a two-time former Olympic Gold Medalist for Cuba, has the much more extensive overall experience and he’s a lot more skilled. The only three things that Kennedy has going for him in this fight tomorrow night is his youth, high punch output and his high pressure fighting style.

Kennedy is great at pressuring his opponents, and outworking them. However, he doesn’t have much power and he could find himself in big trouble against the hard hitting counter-punching Rigondeaux, who likes to set traps for his opponents to land his KO shots to the body.

Kennedy said to RingTV “I need to make him uncomfortable and just be rugged in there…He’s never really been battle tested.”

That’s kind of a ridiculous statement because Rigondeaux has been battle tested for years but in the amateur ranks. As a pro, Rigondeaux did struggle in his fight against Panamanian Ricardo Cardoba in November 2010, winning a close 12 round split decision. However, Cardoba is a very good fighter and it’s not surprising that he gave Rigondeaux a lot of problems. I would favor Cardoba over Kennedy by knockout. Cardoba has great skills, excellent power and good size.

Kennedy feels that he’s got nothing to lose with his fight against Rigondeaux, because no ones expecting much from him. I agree with that. Since he’s considered a big underdog in this fight, Kennedy will likely surprise boxing fans even in losing.