Rigondeaux vs. Casimero: The 118-pound title Rigondeaux vs. Casimero fight has been once again announced to take place on August 14. The Cuban boxer Guillermo Rigondeaux & John Riel Casimero, the Filipino champion, will see each other in the ring. With two of the world’s best bantamweights, it will be a real thrilling experience for boxing fans. The bout will take place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Team Casimero and Donaire Dispute
The match was announced in April. It was initially scheduled to take place between Casimero and Rigondeaux on 14 August. But Nonito Donaire, the WBC world bantamweight champion, replaced Guillermo Rigondeaux after Premier Boxing Champions signed a deal for a title unification fight with him.
But soon after this development, a disagreement over a drug-testing protocol took place over when the testing should commence. This slowly turned into a conflict throwing personal comments at each other, and Casimero's camp insulted Donaire. After this episode of tussle and some unacceptable comments by team Casimero against team Donaire, the latter decided to withdraw from the fight.
Following this decision, Donaire clarified that he backed out because of the comments and not over the drug-testing dispute. Talking about this whole episode, Donaire said, "I represent boxing to the utmost with integrity. I'm not making the fight happen because I'm here to stand on the problems."
After this episode, the TGB Promotions said that both the fighters would have to go through the test. Further, team Casimero apologized to team Donaire saying, “It got out of control. We jump on the sword and say some things shouldn’t have been. That's boxing. We're not in ballet; we're in boxing."
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Date: Saturday, August 14, 2021
Time: 7 p.m. PT/ 10 p.m. ET
Arena: Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, USA.
Guillermo Rigondeaux Background
Original Name: Guillermo Rigondeaux
Alias: El Chacal
Country: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Age: 40
Division: bantamweight
Reach: 68″ (173 cm)
Nationality: Cuban
Stance: southpaw
Height: 5′ 5″ (165 cm)
Residence: Miami, Florida, USA
Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Inactive: 553 days
Total fights: 22
Wins: 20
Losses: 1
Draws: 0
Guillermo Rigondeaux, the Cuban fighter, has been a professional boxer for the last 12 years. The champion boxer was born on September 30, 1980, in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Rigondeaux’s last bout was against Liborio Solis on February 8, 2020, which he won by split decision (SD). For Rigondeaux, the first world title was the WBA super bantamweight champion, which he received on January 20, 2012, by defeating world champion Rico Ramos. Rigondeaux is believed to possess outstanding defensive skills, which has been his identity throughout his boxing career. The Cuban southpaw has always been able to challenge anyone who came to share the ring with him. From winning two gold medals to becoming a unified world champion— everything he has achieved through his career defines his boxing skills.
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Talking about the upcoming Rigondeaux vs. Casimero match on August 14, Rigondeaux, in a press conference, said, “It doesn't matter to me who is going to stand in the ring, in front of me. I keep myself ready. I think patience before anything helps. At this moment, I just think that It’s an opportunity for me to show what I’m capable of. I am not even thinking about how powerful Casimero is or what he is going to bring. I have faced some great challenges throughout my career, and I am not worried about what Casimiro is going to throw at me in the ring. I like to keep it simple. I know we’ll both do our jobs in the best way possible and see who wins. I’m not a trash-talker, and whatever I have to say about him, I’ll show with my game. Until then, I’m focusing on my game and leave it for the ring when Casimero meets the real Rigondeaux.”
John Riel Casimero Background
Original Name: John Riel Casimero
Alias: Quadro Alas
Age: 32
Country: Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines
Division: bantamweight
Reach: 64″ (163 cm)
Nationality: Philippines
Stance: orthodox
Height: 5′ 4″ (163 cm)
Inactive: 322 days
Residence: Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines
Birthplace: Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines
Total fights: 34
Wins: 30
Losses: 4
Draw: 0
John Riel Casimero, the Filipino boxer, has been in professional boxing for over 14 years. Casimero was born on February 13, 1989, in Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines. He made his professional debut on June 3, 2007. Casimero later defeated Cesar Canchila on Dec. 19, 2009, to win the interim WBO Light Flyweight Championship— it was when he improved his record to 14-0. His first professional loss was against Ramon Garcia Hirales. On February 10, 2012, Casimero defeated Luis Alberto Lazarte to win the interim IBF Light Flyweight title and got promoted to official champion. John Riel Casimero, on July 4, 2012, became the IBF light flyweight champion. Later in 2016, Casimero won the IBF Flyweight Championship, and he made his super flyweight debut on June 25 by defeating Richie Mepranum. His last fight was against Duke Micah on September 26, 2020, which he won by technical knockout (TKO).
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Talking about the upcoming Rigondeaux vs. Casimero fight, Casimero says, “The training camp has been so good. And, I’m all ready for the fight. It’s fine if Nonito Donaire did not want to fight me. It could have been an easy game with him. Now I will be facing Rigondeaux in the ring, and he is very experienced. It’s going to be a great fight with the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Rigondeaux. I am much more excited about this right now. We have created a great strategy with my trainer for Rigondeaux. I want my fans to feel excited once the fight starts at the Dignity Health Sports Park. This is the place where I won my WBO title, which makes it special for me. And, I’m going to make it way more special. I will beat Rigondeaux. He will retire after this defeat.”
Rigondeaux vs. Casimero Full Fight Card
Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. John Riel Casimero Match Predictions
It is difficult to make predictions for this match. Obviously, a skilled boxer like Rigondeaux can quickly attack and defeat offensive-minded Casimero, but it is hard to ignore Casimero’s skills. Let’s see whether the 40-year-old Rigondeaux makes it hard for Casimero or the aggressiveness and pressure of Casimero will take him through to victory. According to a large number of sports enthusiasts, Guillermo Rigondeaux might win by technical knockout. Wait for Rigondeaux vs. Casimero fight night until August 14 for the final results.