Teon Kennedy and two other Philadelphia fighters have a big date in Las Vegas

Wearing a pair of dark-rimmed glasses and a backward snapback hat, Teon Kennedy strolled into Joe Hand's Gym on Tuesday afternoon wheeling his equipment bag at his side.

Just 25 years old and 5 feet, 5 inches tall, Kennedy's youthful appearance might fool you. But in the ring, the North Philly boxer stakes his claim with an aggressive style that often turns fights into brawls.

By the final rounds of a fight last year in Atlantic City, his eyes were swollen shut but he still battled.

"[His eyes] were like two slits in the sand," said his co-manager Doc Nowicki.

As he prepares for the first world title shot of his career on June 9 against WBA super-bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, Kennedy's fresh state of mind may be as important as that dangerous right hand.

The fight will be part of the undercard to Manny Pacquiao's welterweight title defense against Tim Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

It also will be a historic night for Philadelphia boxing. On the same undercard, Mount Airy native Mike Jones will meet Randall Bailey for the vacant IBF welterweight title and North Philly's Jesse Hart will make his professional debut against Manuel Eastman. Hart is the son of legendary power-puncher Eugene "Cyclone" Hart.

The last two outings have been difficult for Kennedy (17-1-2, 7 KOs) and he's failed to earn a win since March of 2011. He suffered the first loss of his career last August against Alejandro Lopez and split a decision with Christopher Martin in January in Las Vegas.

Before his fight with Lopez, Kennedy faced felony charges stemming from a North Philadelphia shooting. The charges were dropped and Kennedy was exonerated after the fight when the victim recanted his accusations.

Nowicki said he didn't want Kennedy to fight Lopez, believing the legal issues had clouded Kennedy's head.

Two fights prior, Kennedy scored a technical knockout in 2009 against Francisco Rodriguez at the Blue Horizon. Two days later Rodriguez died of brain injuries suffered in the fight.

There was a brief concern that this would drive Kennedy away from the ring.

"Everything is in the past now," Kennedy said about the distractions. "I'm just focused on the fight."

Rigondeaux has a 9-0 record with seven knockouts. A native of Cuba, the 31-year-old has a decorated amateur background, highlighted by Olympic gold medals in 2000 and 2004. He defected from Cuba in 2009 and now resides in Miami.

In a contrast of backgrounds, Rigondeaux received his first world title shot in just his seventh professional fight. Kennedy's seventh pro fight was at the PAL Center in Hockessin, Del.

Rigondeaux's quick style and strong defense create problems for opponents.

He needed just one round to dispatch Ireland's Willie Casey in March of 2011 as he harassed his foe with an array of body shots. He then punctuated his attack with a powerful left hook.

Kennedy said he isn't fazed.

"I'm still going to use that aggressive style because he likes to be comfortable," Kennedy said. "I'm going to put different angles in, not going to go straight to him."