Rigondeaux, Astrolabio Make Weight for WBC Int'l Battle in Dubai, U.A.E.

By Carlos Costa

Former world champ Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux (20-2, 13 KO’s) of Miami by way of Santiago de Cuba and hard-hitting Filipino slugger Vincent “Asero” Astrolabio (16-3, 12 KO’s) of General Santos City successfully beat the scale ahead of their 12-rounder rumble for the vacant WBC International Bantamweight Strap tomorrow, Saturday, February 26, in “The City of Gold, “Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Rigondeaux, 41, and Astrolabio, 24, are ready to headline the exciting Dubai boxing show promoted by People’s Fighters set to unfold at The Lawns of the plush 36-hole course Emirates Golf Club.

The aggressive coming-forward Pinoy made 117.10 pounds, while the elusive, superbly defensive “Chacal” stood up at 117.80 lbs., both men looking in fantastic physical shape, ready for the 12 rounds for action…. although perhaps not that many rounds would be needed. Soon enough we’ll find out.

Interestingly, the two fighters can boast world-class corners.

The glory-hungry Filipino Astrolabio will have with him none other than Nonoy Neri, a beloved former long-time coach of the awesome Manny Pacquiao, while Rigondeaux will have with him Pedro Diaz, the veteran Cuban coach from Santa Clara who for decades worked with the Cuban Olympic Boxing Team. How about that?

The winner for Rigondeaux vs Astrolabio not only gets the brand-new WBC International Belt, but also a super boost in his ranking in the WBC 118-pound weight-class, stepping a notch close to a possible fight against the reigning king “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire.

Ohhhh, “El Chacal” would love that.

More than anything else, Rigondeaux would love to soundly beat Doanire once again. He did that 9 years ago at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, and after all these years, Rigo just thinks he can do it again. Can he?

Meanwhile, the well-trained, serious, laser-focused Pinoy Astrolabio is in Dubai to shock and win. While he respects Ringondeaux stellar accomplishments in boxing, he wants to rock him hard.

That’s because Astrolabio’s sole purpose to fight his way into creating his own mark in the sport that he loves, same as his idol, the legendary “The Pacman” did.

All the above sounds fine and dandy, but at the end who will get the W?