John Riel Casimero: record, next fight and profile →
John Riel Casimero cautioned those that appreciate Guillermo Rigondeaux’s style to savor their fight Saturday night. It’ll be the last time, according to the colorful Casimero, that the Cuban southpaw will set foot in a boxing ring.
A fight that looked interesting on paper before it was replaced remains interesting now that things have circled back to where they started. Saturday night (Showtime, 10 PM EST), we almost had a Nonito Donaire-John Riel Casimero unification match at bantamweight. It was a surprising move with Casimero already slated to defend against Guillermo Rigondeaux. Ultimately, it was a surprise too good to be true.
Rigondeaux, Casimero Weights Photos Gallery - Two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux and WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero went face-to-face Friday at the official weigh-in, before they headline action live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, August 14 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. (photos by Stephanie Trapp)
John Riel Casimero handed Guillermo Rigondeaux his sunglasses Friday afternoon when Rigondeaux requested that Casimero take off his shades as they stood face-to-face.
John Riel Casimero expects a more enthusiastic reception for his return to one of the sport’s proudest venues. The three-division and reigning WBO bantamweight titlist puts his belt on the line versus lineal junior featherweight champion and active bantamweight Guillermo Rigondeaux this Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The bout—which headlines a Showtime-televised tripleheader—marks the second defense of the WBO title he claimed in a third-round knockout of Zolani Tete in November 2019.
Guillermo Rigondeaux couldn’t help but flash back to his own stellar amateur career while bearing witness to the next generation. Before he became lineal junior featherweight champion, Rigondeaux (20-1, 13KOs) earned Gold medals for Cuba in 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens. The supremely gifted Cuban southpaw is now in line to claim true two-division title status as he challenges WBO bantamweight titlist John Riel Casimero (30-4, 21KOs). The bout comes on the heels of Cuba’s boxing team hauling five medals in the Tokyo Olympics, including a Games-best four Gold medals.
Rigondeaux, Casimero Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - Two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux and WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before they headline action live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, August 14 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. (photos by Stephanie Trapp)
Guillermo Rigondeaux will become a part of the movement to reduce the number of WBA titles, intentionally or otherwise. The two-time Olympic Gold medalist and reigning lineal junior featherweight champion will enter the ring as the challenger for this weekend’s showdown with reigning WBO bantamweight titlist John Riel Casimero. Rigondeaux currently holds a secondary version of the WBA bantamweight title, which BoxingScene.com has learned will no longer remain in his possession once the bell sounds for his Showtime-televised main event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
by Cliff Rold - Following a quiet, somewhat sad surrender in his December 2017 Jr. lightweight title challenge of Vasyl Lomachenko, it was easy to wonder if boxing has seen the last big chance for lineal Jr. featherweight king Guillermo Rigondeaux (20-1, 13 KO).
By Lyle Fitzsimmons - Remember Guillermo Rigondeaux? You know, he was the guy who had a spectacular amateur career – including two Olympic golds and two world championships – then turned pro and won and defended a title by the time he’d hit 10 fights.