JOHN Riel Casimero banked on his aggressiveness to narrowly retain his World Boxing Organization bantamweight crown yesterday (Saturday in the US) with a split decision win over wily and slippery Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba at the Dignity Sports Park in Carson City, California.
Although seemingly outfoxed and outboxed, Casimero convinced two of the three judges that he beat the two-time Olympic gold medalist, who landed more punches but waltzed away most of the time, much to the chagrin of ring fans who expected more action.
Judges Robert Hoyle and Daniel Sandoval scored it 117-111 and 116-112, respectively, in favor of the defending Pinoy champion while Tim Cheatham saw the veteran Cuban the winner 115-113.
“Rigondeaux is a good boxer, a two-time Olympic boxing medalist. But he run (sic) always and no punching” rued Casimero, who picked up his 34th triumph against four losses.
It was the first time the pride of Ormoc, Leyte had gone the distance since knocking out his foes in his previous six fights.
Nicknamed “Quadro Alas,” Casimero made the second successful defense of the title he won with a third-round stoppage of South African Zolani Tete on July Nov. 30, 2019 at the Birmingham Arena in Birmingham, England.
Rigondeaux, who got stripped of his World Boxing Association “regular” bantamweight belt just days before the fight, absorbed his second loss in 22 matches, and was unapologetic of the way he fought.
When told that he landed only 44 punches against Casimero, the Cuban, speaking through an interpreter, replied: “I believe that’s the necessary amount of punches to win this fight.
God gave me those skills so that’s how I win them. I’m really frustrating for some boxers.
That’s why I am unique.”
MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons, Casimero’s handler, did not mince words about what the crafty Cuban did inside the ring, which, however, exposed his own ward’s limitations as a one-dimensional fighter.
“The fight was very frustrating for him (Casimero). The man came in the best shape he can. This was one of the worst displays of a fight I have ever seen. The referee did a poor job, it’s a joke,” Gibbons said.
Except for an early slip in the first round, which Casimero’s camp claimed was a knockdown, Rigondeaux showed why he is considered one of the best ring technicians around and often threw his foe off his game and timing.
Casimero was repeatedly flustered by his rival’s evasive tactics, unable to land his vaunted left hook and pounce on the slight openings he was given.
The Cuban taunted the Filipino throughout the match, which included playfully tagging him with a light tap on the nose shortly after the bell rung ending the sixth round, much to the latter’s surprise.
Out of frustration, there were several times that Casimero just let his guard down for Rigondeaux to slug it out but his opponent refused to take the bait and merely leaned on his old counter-punching tricks to stay out of harm’s way.
After hurdling Rigondeaux, the WBO champ said he will go for compatriot and newly-crowned World Boxing Council counterpart Nonito Donaire Jr. next then Japanese World Boxing Association super welterweight titlist Naoya Inoue afterwards.
“Now that I have finished with Rigondeaux, Donaire is next then Inoue afterwards” said Casimero, leaving the middle finger of his right hand up for Inoue and all to see his future plans.
Gibbons fueled the fire, calling out “The Filipino Flash”: “Nonito Donaire signed a contract, be a man, grow some balls. Step up and fight us if he wants to do a real fight.”
