Casimero wins by split decision

By LITO DELOS REYES

DAVAO CITY – John Riel “Quadro Alas” Casimero of Ormoc City retained his WBO World bantamweight title via a split decision against Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba Saturday (Aug. 15 PH) at the Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson.

Judges Robert Hoyle (117-111) and Daniel Sandoval (116-112) scored it in favor of the 32-year-old Casimero but Judge Tim Cheatham (113-115) surprisingly saw it for Rigondeaux.

Casimero tried to mix it up but Rigondeaux kept on running away.

Casimero retained it for the second time to improve to 31 wins with 21 knockouts against four losses while Rigondeaux, former WBA world champion, suffered his second defeat against 20 wins.

The next targets are the two top names of the bantamweight division in unified World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation champion Naoya Inoue or World Boxing Council king Nonito Donaire.

Meanwhile, the WBA world bantamweight title eliminator between Gary Antonio Russell and Emmanuel Rodriguez ended in a no-decision after Rodriguez cannot continue with an injury after the 1st round.

Former WBC Asia flyweight champion Raymond “Tornado” Tabugon of Gingoog City had a 5th round retirement against Juan Carlos Payano of the Dominican Republic.

Tabugon was down in Round 1 while Payano suffered a cut on the left eye due to an accidental headbutt.

Tom Brown is the promoter while the media is USA Showtime.