Manila Bulletin

Rigondeaux tells PH champ to do his talking in the ring Casimero to Cuban foe: This is your last fight

- By CARLO ANOLIN

John Riel Casimero, on a rare occasion, commended his Cuban opponent Guillermo Rigondeaux for accepting the challenge once more as the two dispute the Filipino's WBO welterweig­ht title at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on Aug. 14.

But Casimero's trash-talking did not stop during Showtime Boxing's press conference Friday, Aug. 13 in Manila, saying that the coming bout will be Rigondeaux's swan song.

"This is a good fight, this August 14," said Casimero, who holds a 30-4 record on top of 21 knockouts. "Rigondeaux is a good fighter but this is very important for me ‘coz I know my next opponent may be [Nonito] Donaire and [Naoya] Inoue.

"I don't know, the two opponents [are] scared but Rigondeaux is not scared. But you know, don't worry Rigondeaux, this is the last of your fight," added the 31-year-old Ormoc native boxer, who was seated beside the Cuban slugger at the middle of the stage.

Casimero, who boasts of a sixmatch win streak with the latest coming via a technical win over Ghanian boxer Duke Micah last September,

added that he has a "surprise" in store for Rigondeaux.

The surprise? "Three rounds. Don't run," said the Filipino knockout artist.

Rigondeaux, who was the initial opponent of Casimero as announced last April, returned to the saddle after Donaire, the WBC champion, backed out of the all-Filipino showdown.

The seasoned Cuban fighter, for his part, has had enough of Casimero's trash-talking business and warned the Filipino to back up his talk once they clash in the ring.

"You gotta do in the ring," said the 40-year-old Rigondeaux, the regular WBA champion, through a translator. "Don't worry, wait on Saturday when you have me right in front of you. I'm tired of hearing all these jokers. They always say the same thing. They always have the opinion that I'm gonna retire. I'm here, do it on Saturday

"He'll be waiting. I'm not one to talk much as you all know. I'm not much of a talker, I'm not a press guy. I'm not full of words but [I will do] my best to win," added the twotime Olympic gold medalist, who last saw action in February last year with a split decision win over Venezuelan foe Liborio Solis to improve at 20-1 record with 13 KOs.

 ??  ?? JOHN RIEL CASIMERO (right) and Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux in a stare-down at the media launch on the eve of their WBO welterweig­ht fight in Carson, California. (Showtime Boxing)
JOHN RIEL CASIMERO (right) and Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux in a stare-down at the media launch on the eve of their WBO welterweig­ht fight in Carson, California. (Showtime Boxing)

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