Astrolabio Floors, Decisions Rigondeaux Claims WBC Int’l Title in Dubai, U.A.E.

By Carlos Costa

His huge effort, his long weeks of training as well as his belief in himself have paid off.

Hard-swinging 118-pounder Vincent Astrolabio (17-3, 12 KO’s) of General Santos City in the Philippines has scored the most important win of his 6-year pro boxing career by dropped and decisioning veteran former champ Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux (20-3, 13 KO”s) to claim the vacant WBC International Strap Saturday February 26, at the plush 36-hole course Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, U.A.E.

The well-conditioned, super determined 24-year-old Astrolabio caught the decorated Cuban at the right second in round eight, rocking him to the canvas, prompting some fans in attendance to think that the Filipino could stop the superbly talented Rigondeux, a 2-time Olympic Gold who has only been halted by the awesome Vasyl Lomachenko four years ago.

That did not happen as Rigondeaux regained his vertical, getting into his trade-mark defensive mode, eluding his way into the final bell.

But importantly, that one knockdown gave Vincent Astrolabio the one-point lead over the skilled “Chacal” to pull the rewarding victory, one of the most surprising results so far in this young 2022.

At the very end, identical razor-thin tallies of 95-94 (three times) were rendered in favor of the younger Filipino Vincent “Asero” Astrolabio who was guided in his corner by veteran trainer Nonoy Neri, one of the long-time coaches of the legendary Manny Pacquiao.

With the rewarding, well-deserved victory, Astrolabio not only gets the WBC International belt, but also a higher place in the WBC bantamweight world-rankings.

Meanwhile, some fans begin to wonder if time has arrived for the 41-year-old Guillermo Rigondeaux to hang up his boxing gloves?

In the co-feature, 19-year-old Jadier Herrera (6-0, 5 KO’s) of Camaguey, Cuba, grandson of revered Cuban boxing legend 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist Angel Herrera Vera, won a 10-round unanimous decision over veteran Filipino former OPBF champ “The Journeyman” Mark John Yap (30-15, 15 KO’s) of Cagayan de Oro to conquer the vacant WBA Asia South Super Featherweight Title.

Today’s exciting show under the Dubai Boxing Commission was a production of promoter Phucan An Nguyen of Peoples Fighters with the matchmaking of Brico Santig, director of Highland Boxing Team.