Philippines, 29 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


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


PhilBoxing.com




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 dropping 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 medalist 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.


Astrolabio (C) celebrates after defeating Rigondeaux with matchmaker Brico Santig (L) and trainer Nonoy Neri (R).

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.

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.

The author Senior Boxing Columnist Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp: +639184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • 11-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • IBA welcomes the victory of common sense in the IOC policy on protecting women
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Genetic Testing will be required in Olympic Games
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • “Lucky Boy" Alicaba Ready for Action Friday in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • WBO & WBA World Champion René “El Chulo” Santiago Hosts Open Media Workout Ahead of April 3 Title Defense in Tokyo
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Former WBA FEDELATIN President Panamanian Aurelio Fiengo passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • The 19th edition of the Kamatyas Rapid Open and Kiddies Chess Tournament on March 28, 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • WIG-WHAM! MILLER PLANS ‘OLD SCHOOL’ BEATING OF PERO IN LAS VEGAS
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • ProBoxTV Bringing a Storm of Flying Leather to Thunder Studios This Saturday, March 28, as Bryan Acosta Collides with Ronny Rios in Crossroads Bantamweight Slugfest
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Training Camp Quotes
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 25 Mar 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.