Philippines, 30 Jun 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:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP
    , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • Gustavo Trujillo Stays Undefeated with Devastating Seventh-Round Knockout at Fist of Fury 11
    , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • World Boxing Council Unveils Special July 4th Commemorative Belt Honoring USA 250th Anniversary
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • 12-Year-Old Filipina Memory Prodigy Georgina Santos to Represent the Philippines in Two World Memory Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026
  • World championship mega-fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez postponed to October
    , Mon, 29 Jun 2026
  • Filipino Jonas Magpantay wins Indonesia; pockets $15,000, gains steam heading to Vietnam
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026
  • Ex-kickboxer to debut in MMA Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026
  • Deaño settles to a draw
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow
    , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • WBC declares German Agit Kabayel new WBC heavyweight champion after Usyk relinquishes his title
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • 4th Gov. RST MMA Slugfest on July 3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • Chezka Centeno ready for world 10-ball title defense
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis: Breakout Moment in Brooklyn
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • GAB Must Look Into Exploitation of Rated Filipino Fighters in Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • TITLE FIGHT ON: Zayas and "Boots" Ennis Hit the Scales for Brooklyn Super-Welterweight Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • USC's Galen Center confirmed as Martinez-Plantic, Lopez-Carrillo venue August 29, live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • July 4: Albert Bell Steps In to Challenge Abdullah Mason in All-Ohio WBO Lightweight World Title Showdown at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center LIVE on TNT and DAZN
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Zamboanga relinquishes her ONE Women’s title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Top-ranked Charly Suarez facing Manuel Avila, plus two more fights added to July 18 ProBoxTV event
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Yanon fights Kaji in Tokyo on July 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Preparations underway for 2026 IBA men’s divisional continental championships
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 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.