John Riel Casimero predicts KO of Rigondeaux in three rounds

WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero is set to defend his title against former world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

And during Showtime Boxing’s press conference for the fight, the flashy Filipino fighter was not shy about his predictions about how the fight would go down.

“This is a good fight, Rigondeaux is a good fighter. This fight is very important for me,” Casimero (30-4, 21 KOs) said of the bout. “Cause I know the next opponent is maybe (Nonito) Donaire or (Naoya) Inoue. Maybe, I don’t know, the two opponents are scared, but Rigondeaux is not scared.”

“But don’t worry, Rigondeaux, this is the last of your fights. August 14.”

Rigondeaux on Friday (Saturday in Manila) tipped the scales at 117.5 lbs while Casimero weighed in at the limit of 118.

Tomorrow's tripleheader is about ready to tip the scales ??

Watch the #RigondeauxCasimero weigh-in LIVE at 4PM ET/1PM PT: https://t.co/wGzyhalxRb. pic.twitter.com/kb5UzZOqbs

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) August 13, 2021

Casimero, who has knockout wins in each of his last six fights, is confident he can make it seven with the Cuban boxer. In fact, he doesn’t expect the fight to last too long.

“You know, this is a surprise, but Rigondeaux, maybe three rounds.”

Casimero, of course, has done his share of trash talking in the past few months. A scheduled unification fight with compatriot Donaire fell apart because of trash talk, paving the way for this matchup against Rigondeaux, who stepped in as a replacement.

In response to Casimero, the 40-year-old Rigondeaux said it wasn’t anything he hasn’t heard before and he challenged the Filipino to prove it in the ring.

“I’m tired of hearing from all these jokers. They always say the same thing. They always have an opinion that I’m going to retire. I’m here. Let’s see it on Saturday,” Rigondeaux said through a translator.

The Filipino, despite his big talk, admitted that he actually has respect for his opponent.

“I have respect for Rigondeaux. Rigondeaux’s a good boxer. Two-time Olympian. I want to show to the world I can knock him out. A lot of fans want me to knock him out. Let’s do this.”

But he also had a request for his opponent: “Don’t run.”

—JMB, GMA News