MASAM SPORTS 43: VINCENT ASTROLABIO VS. GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX TALE OF THE TAPE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 26 Feb 2022
Former unified world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (20-2, 13 KO's) of Santiago de Cuba and knockout specialist Filipino slugger Vincent Astrolabio (16-3, 12 KO's) of General Santos City will face each other in their 12-round tussle for the vacant WBC International bantamweight title on Saturday, February 26 at The Lawn of the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Rigondeaux weighed 117.80 lbs. and Astrolabio tipped in at 117.10 lbs. at the official weigh-in. The winner for Rigondeaux vs Astrolabio match will get a possible WBC title fight against the reigning titlist Nonito "Filipino Flash" Donaire.
The Tale of the Tape
Birth name Guillermo Rigondeaux Ortiz
Alias El Chacal (The Jackal)
Official weight 117.80 pounds
Date of Birth September 30, 1980
Age 41
Residence Miami, Florida, USA
Birth place Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Stance southpaw
Height 5′ 7″ (170cm)
Reach 67½″ (171cm)
Bouts 23
Record 20-2 (13 KOs) , 1 NC
Rounds 146
KO rate 56.52%
Pro debut May 22, 2009
Ratings WBC No. 9 contender
Rigondeaux's Titles held
World Boxing Association World Bantamweight Title
World Boxing Association Super World Super Bantamweight Title
World Boxing Organisation World Super Bantamweight Title
The Ring World Super Bantamweight Title
World Boxing Council International Silver Super Bantamweight Title
Birth name Vincent Ading Astrolabio
Alias Asero
Official weight 117.10 pounds
Date of Birth April 1, 1997
Age 24
Residence General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines
Birth place General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines
Stance orthodox
Height 5′ 5″ (165cm)
Bouts 19
Record 16-3 (12 KOs)
Rounds 102
KO rate 63.16%
Pro debut August 14, 2015
Ratings WBO No. 10 contender
Astrolabio's Titles held
World Boxing Organization Oriental Bantamweight Title
Mindanao Professional Boxing Federation (MinProBA) Bantamweight Title
This will be the toughest test for Astrolabio as he faces an Olympic double gold medalist, a very sleek and clever southpaw who was once a top ten pound-for-pound fighter of the world.
Astrolabio has won four straight fights since losing to Chinese foe Zong Li He by majority decision in a WBO Asia Pacific Youth super flyweight title fight on December 15, 2018 in Yubei, China.
He beat previously unbeaten Patrick Liukhoto by TKO9, Kevin Aseniero by TKO5, Wilbert Berondo by KO8 and Jerry Pabila by TKO1, all by knockout in his latest fights.
However, Rigondeaux has not impressed his audience in his latest fights. He just challenged for a WBO bantamweight title in his last outing. But he lost to Casimero via split decision on August 14, 2021, at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California in a widely criticized boring fight.
Before his loss to Casimero, Rigondeaux is on a three-fight victory streak, beating Giovanni Delgado by KO1, Julio Ceja by TKO8 and Liborio Solis by SD12.
His first loss was dealt by Ukranian superstar Vasyl Lomachenko, a fellow two-time Olympic gold medalist, on December 9, 2017 in New York City.
MP Boxing Gym coach Nonoy Neri believes Astrolabio, who will fight for the first time for a world title in his career, can score an upset over Rigondeaux.
“Astrolabio is much younger, has a power punch and a big heart,” said Neri as quoted by Inquirer Sports.
But Rigondeaux is not taking his opponent lightly. "We’re back and we’re coming with a lot of enthusiasm, you know my thing is boxing,” said Rigondeaux. “I don’t know where this new chapter in my career is going to take me, but I’m excited and I’m training very hard for this fight.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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