Rigo applauds Astrolabio
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 02 Mar 2022
Astrolabio (R) drops Rigondeaux in Dubai.
Former two-division world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux conceded defeat to heavy underdog Vincent Astrolabio whom the Cuban complimented for his speed, power and smarts in capturing the vacant WBC International bantamweight crown via a unanimous 10-round decision in Dubai last weekend.
Astrolabio, 24, was a +600 bet, meaning a wager of $100 would earn $600 with his win, while Rigondeaux, 41, was a -1,000 favorite so that a $1,000 stake would only bring in $100. But the Filipino defied the odds to upset Rigondeaux who was decked by a left-right combination in the eighth round. The Cuban survived the trip to the canvas but not after wrestling Astrolabio down with him and repeatedly clinching to clear his head until the bell rang.
Astrolabio’s trainer Nonoy Neri said Rigondeaux had no excuses. “Sabi ni Rigo, malakas, mabilis at mautak si Astrolabio at marunong mag-cut ng ring at mag-block ng suntok,” said Neri who arrived with the fighter in Manila the other day. “Si JohnRiel (Casimero), nag-message at nagbigay ng congrats. Ka-sparring ni Astrolabio si JohnRiel dati, pati rin sina Jerwin Ancajas, Marlon Tapales at Aston Palicte kaya maraming natutunan sa kanila. Hawak ko na si Astrolabio sa four-rounders. Tingin ko, pwedeng sunod na Nonito Donaire, relax lang siya, timing at diskarte.”
Neri said MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons messaged that he’ll work on a world title eliminator for Astrolabio, one of 10 children and the only fighter in the family. Astrolabio’s father died of a lung disease in 2018 and his mother is cared for by him, two brothers and seven sisters. Astrolabio and wife Lovely live in Davao with their children, a boy, 2 and a girl, 6.
“Kahit sino, kayang labanan ni Astrolabio,” said Neri. “Si Rigo may edad na pero magaling pa rin mag-counter. Sa umpisa, nakipagsabayan si Rigo pero noong nasaktan, tumakbo na. Sinagasaan ni Astrolabio hanggang bumagsak si Rigo. Groggy siya at saved by the bell.” Neri said the fight contract stipulated 12 rounds but at the pre-fight meeting, he was surprised to learn that it was scaled down to 10. “Pabor kay Rigo kung 10 rounds lang dahil 41 na siya pero OK lang,” said Neri. “Gulat nga kami, mga judges nag-score ng 95-94 pare-pareho. Dapat malaki ang agwat.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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