Philippines, 29 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


RIGONDEAUX IS BOOED BY FIGHT FANS AFTER HE WINS A BORING FIGHT VS DRIAN FRANCISCO


PhilBoxing.com




WBA super bantamweight champion and two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux easily defeated former Filipino title challenger Drian Francisco in a boring, ten round bout and was roundly booed by the fans when it ended at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, Sunday, Manila Time.

Rigondeaux hadn?t fought for eleven months since no one wished to promote his fights because of his technically sound but lackluster style.

It was the same against Francisco who took the fight on short notice although he had been preparing for a fight last November 13 in an MP Promotions USA LLC fight card at the Philippine Navy Gymnasium in Fort Bonifacio and said he was ready to face the WBA bantamweight champion.

The unbeaten Rigondeaux who was recently stripped of his WBO belt because of inactivity resorted to jabbing, moving and holding en route to a victory where judges Steve Morrow and Richard Ocasio scored it by a 100-90 shutout while the third judge Don Trella was generous in giving Francisco three rounds for a 97-93 score.

Rigondeaux who has appealed against the WBO decision stripping him of his title and is waiting for the decision on his appeal which, if not granted will make Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire?s showdown with Cesar Juarez of Mexico on December 13 in Puerto Rico a title fight.

CompuBox stats showed Rigondeaux landed 72 of 347 punches thrown while Francisco who tried to upset Rigondeaux by being aggressive and caught him with a couple of good body shots in round seven landed only 42 of 228 punches he threw.

With the win Rigondeaux improved to 16-0 with 10 knockouts while Francisco dropped to 28-4-1 with 22 knockouts.

The fight which was on the Miguel Cotto-Saul ?Canelo? Alvarez world middleweight title fight was telecast in the Philippines by TV 5.

In a post fight interview Rigondeaux said ?I feel terrific after the fight. He (Francisco) threw heavy shots but his style was nothing on mine. My style outmatched his.?

He said ?I definitely wanted to give the fans a better fight so I need to get back into the gym, get more active to give a better performance. I promise with the tools I have now after signing with Roc Nation that next time I?ll be explosive.?

A disappointed Francisco criticized Rigondeaux referring to him as ?a runner not a fighter. He is afraid of getting hurt and doesn?t want to fight. I felt pressured into being the aggressor during this fight because he wasn?t fighting, he was running away. He is not a power puncher and won by points. I trained really hard for this fight and I feel like it was a waste of time because I didn?t encounter a fighter tonight.?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 APRIL 2026: Jarrell Miller Outpoints Lenier Pero; Chaves, Sosa win in Vegas show
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Preparing to fight on Major Global Platform
    , Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • “The Boss” Mig is PBO president
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • Teófimo moving up to welterweight?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • Donatelo Pinlac reigns supreme
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • 'THE COMEBACK' IS CONFIRMED: AJ RETURNS TO RIYADH ON JULY 25 AS HEAVYWEIGHT ICON FACES KRSITIAN PRENGA – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • SANDOVAL vs YAFAI UNIFICATION WORLD TITLE FIGHT TOPS THE BILL IN SHEFFIELD ON JUNE 6 – LIVE ON DAZN – AS DALTON SMITH IS SIDELINED
    , Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • IBA Global Boxing Series 2026 – India Edition delivers landmark night of professional boxing in Mumbai
    , Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • Xander Zayas Signs Multi-Year Extension with Top Rank
    , Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • Victor Wembanyama ties Shaquille O'Neal's Playoff Points-Rebounds-Blocks Record
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • Pinoy chesser bags gold in China tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Apr 2026
  • MELBOURNE FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS NICOLSON TAKES ON TURNER FOR THE WBC INTERIM WORLD TITLE
    , Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • ‘I’m coming to put on a performance—something exciting, something real. Don’t blink – The Black Hulk Bilal Seidu is back May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • Fil-Am Brandon Kier Sustento strikes again in US chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • Llover nears title shot
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • All Star Boxing, Inc. Signs Undefeated Japanese Prospect Yuga Ozaki to Multi-Year Promotional Agreement
    , Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • Labog rules Okada Manila Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • Dacullo Edges Cometa in Thriller, Remains GAB Philippine Youth Minimum weight Champion
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • SKYE NICOLSON FIRES WARNING TO MARIAH TURNER AS SHE TARGETS HOMECOMING WIN THIS WEDNESDAY IN BID TO LAND UNDISPUTED SHOT
    , Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • Salim Ellis-Bey Concludes 2026 World Boxing Cup - Stage 1 with Silver Medal
    , Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • IIEE PSME Quezon City wins all matches in PCAP
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Apr 2026
  • Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering team to the championship of the Oliver Laroya 3x3 (Tatluhan) Rapid Chess Team Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 26 Apr 2026
  • Simona Winkler, Salim Ellis-Bey and Noelle Haro Advance to Medal Rounds At 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Sun, 26 Apr 2026
  • Sanman 100 Official Weigh-In Results from General Santos
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Subkhankulov stops Usmonov, Agrba wins hard test, and Aminova claims WBA Asia title at IBA.PRO 17 in Ufa
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.