Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 15) – Filipino boxing sensation John Riel Casimero retained his World Boxing Organization bantamweight crown after eking out a split decision win over Guillermo Rigondeaux on Sunday (Philippine time) at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
In a fight that saw the crowd yelling more boos than screams of excitement, Casimero still managed to get the nod of two judges with scores of 116-112 and 117-111. The other judge gave it to Rigondeaux, 115-113.
Casimero, who successfully hurdled his third title defense, raised his win-loss-draw record to 31-4-0 with 21 knockouts.
Rigondeaux, who scaled down and returned as a bantamweight fighter last year, dropped to a 20-2-0 slate with 13 knockouts.
The Ormoc City-born Casimero looked upbeat as he made his entrance into the ring with Filipino rapper Ez Mil, who sang his viral hit “Panalo.”
As the opening bell rang, Rigondeaux started to avoid the strong right hits of Casimero. The “strategy” would last throughout the night.
Approaching the final minute of the first round, Casimero connected a right straight to Rigondeaux which forced the Cuban fighter to lean down beside the ropes and touch the floor to control his balance. Referee Jerry Cantu ruled Rigondeaux’s fall only as a slip.
From then on, Rigondeaux would dance around the ring to evade the vicious punching power of Casimero, much to the dismay of the audience in the open-air sports venue.
Casimero began to shift strategy in the fifth round, as he tried to capitalize on his left hooks and right body shots against Rigondeaux. The new plan didn’t work for the Filipino boxer as his Cuban foe continued to shy away from Casimero.
Rigondeaux started to mentally frustrate Casimero after he landed a jab right at the end of the sixth round, perhaps the Cuban boxer’s most exciting punch of the night.
The defending bantamweight titlist became aggressive and attempted to force the issue in the later rounds, but Rigondeaux still chose to avoid his Filipino opponent.
“My expectation is knockout. I want a knockout. I tried to do my best to knock him out but Rigondeaux was always running and running,” said Casimero after the fight.
The CompuBox statistics showed that Casimero only landed 16% (47/297) of his total punches. He connected just 5% (6/130) of his jabs and 25% (41/167) of his power punches.
On the other hand, Rigondeaux managed to land 20% (44/221) of his total blows, with 13% (16/124) in jabs and 29% (28/97) in power punches.
MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons, the fight promoter of Casimero, also expressed his frustration about the fight.
“It’s embarrassing. The man came in the best shape he can to give the fans what they want,” said Gibbons. “They should hold up that man’s purse. That was one of the worst displays of a fight I have ever seen.”
Casimero is in line to challenge unified World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation champion Naoya Inoue or World Boxing Council champion and compatriot Nonito Donaire.
