Casimero set to face Rigondeaux as Donaire backs out

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Cuban boxing legend Guillermo Rigondeaux is back in the picture after Nonito Donaire Jr. decided to pull out of his fight against Johnriel Casimero.

Rigondeaux was originally Casimero’s opponent set for an August 14 showdown but was scrapped due to a proposal of an all-Filipino bantamweight unification.

However, due to some issues in the VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) testing and a recent social media tussle involving his wife and the Casimero camp, Donaire stood firm with his decision of backing out from the blockbuster fight.

MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions president Sean Gibbons announced the recent development and confirmed that Casimero is now preparing for Rigondeaux.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba will seek to snatch Casimero’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight belt in Carson, California.

Meanwhile, Donaire said that he is planning to have another shot against the current bantamweight king Naoya “Monster” Inoue who defeated him via unanimous decision in their first fight.

With his recent performance against Nordine Oubaali to clinch the World Boxing Council (WBC) championship, Donaire is confident that he is ready for a potential rematch and defy father time once again.