Casimero vows to knockout Rigondeaux in title showdown

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filipino star boxer Johnriel Casimero had a message for foe Guillermo Rigondeaux before their bantamweight championship fight kicks off.

During their final presser in their highly-anticipated fight, Casimero bravely said that he will finish the Cuban tactician under five rounds.

“I have a surprise for Rigondeaux on Saturday night. He will maybe last three rounds. Don’t run,” said the flashy and confident Casimero.

The 31-year-old Filipino will defend his WBO bantamweight belt against Rigondeaux who is the reigning lineal junior featherweight champion.

Casimero is currently on a roll and has stopped his last six opponents including the hard-hitting Duke Micah of Ghania in his last fight.

However, despite the outspoken Casimero’s verbal psych war against the veteran Rigondeaux, the Cuban fired back with his own statement saying that he is a different fighter among his casualties.

“He’s knocked out six guys in a row, but none of them are in the same class as me. He’s going to have the devil in front of him Saturday,” said Rigondeaux.

Casimero was supposed to fight co-Filipino Nonito Donaire but negotiations went sour after both camps traded blows on social media that forced organizers to scrap the fight.