CARSON, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 14: John Riel Casimero celebrates after defeating Guillermo Rigondeaux by split decision in the 12th round during their WBO Bantamweight title 12 round bout at Dignity Health Sports Park on August 14, 2021 in Carson, California. Michael Owens/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Michael Owens / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Chasing and stalking throughout the fight, John Riel Casimero earned a split decision win over an elusive Guillermo Rigondeaux to retain his WBO bantamweight title Sunday (Manila time) at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Two judges scored the bout, 116-112 and 117-111 while the other had it for Rigondeaux, 115-113.
The champ stays the champ ⭐@casimerojr defends his belt with a split decision W over Rigondeaux.#RigondeauxCasimero pic.twitter.com/YzRxVQlMTZ
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) August 15, 2021
“What he (Casimero) is saying is he’s very frustrated. It’s embarrassing. The man came in the best shape he can to give the fans what they want. And that was embarrassing. They should hold up that man’s purse. That was one of the worst displays of a fight I have ever seen,” said MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons in an interview with Showtime’s Jim Gray shortly after the fight.
“My expectation is knockout. I want a knockout. I tried to do my best to knock him out but Rigondeaux was always running and running. I’m focused on [the] knockout but Rigondeaux was always running and no fighting,” Casimero said.
Heading into the fight, Casimero predicted he would knock out Rigondeaux in three rounds but the Cuban, known for his technical and methodical style of fighting, kept running as a chorus of boos from the crowd poured in.
Casimero improved to 31-4, 21 KOs while Rigondeaux, a three-division champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, suffered only his second loss against 20 wins, 13 by knockout.