Philippines, 24 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Rigo applauds Astrolabio


PhilBoxing.com



Astrolabio (R) drops Rigondeaux in Dubai.

Former two-division world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux conceded defeat to heavy underdog Vincent Astrolabio whom the Cuban complimented for his speed, power and smarts in capturing the vacant WBC International bantamweight crown via a unanimous 10-round decision in Dubai last weekend.

Astrolabio, 24, was a +600 bet, meaning a wager of $100 would earn $600 with his win, while Rigondeaux, 41, was a -1,000 favorite so that a $1,000 stake would only bring in $100. But the Filipino defied the odds to upset Rigondeaux who was decked by a left-right combination in the eighth round. The Cuban survived the trip to the canvas but not after wrestling Astrolabio down with him and repeatedly clinching to clear his head until the bell rang.

Astrolabio’s trainer Nonoy Neri said Rigondeaux had no excuses. “Sabi ni Rigo, malakas, mabilis at mautak si Astrolabio at marunong mag-cut ng ring at mag-block ng suntok,” said Neri who arrived with the fighter in Manila the other day. “Si JohnRiel (Casimero), nag-message at nagbigay ng congrats. Ka-sparring ni Astrolabio si JohnRiel dati, pati rin sina Jerwin Ancajas, Marlon Tapales at Aston Palicte kaya maraming natutunan sa kanila. Hawak ko na si Astrolabio sa four-rounders. Tingin ko, pwedeng sunod na Nonito Donaire, relax lang siya, timing at diskarte.”

Neri said MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons messaged that he’ll work on a world title eliminator for Astrolabio, one of 10 children and the only fighter in the family. Astrolabio’s father died of a lung disease in 2018 and his mother is cared for by him, two brothers and seven sisters. Astrolabio and wife Lovely live in Davao with their children, a boy, 2 and a girl, 6.

“Kahit sino, kayang labanan ni Astrolabio,” said Neri. “Si Rigo may edad na pero magaling pa rin mag-counter. Sa umpisa, nakipagsabayan si Rigo pero noong nasaktan, tumakbo na. Sinagasaan ni Astrolabio hanggang bumagsak si Rigo. Groggy siya at saved by the bell.” Neri said the fight contract stipulated 12 rounds but at the pre-fight meeting, he was surprised to learn that it was scaled down to 10. “Pabor kay Rigo kung 10 rounds lang dahil 41 na siya pero OK lang,” said Neri. “Gulat nga kami, mga judges nag-score ng 95-94 pare-pareho. Dapat malaki ang agwat.”


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • LAS VEGAS FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS MILLER AND PERO COLLIDE IN WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Undefeated Knockout Artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones Headlines First-Ever DAZN Card Against Former World Champion Vincenzo “Il Capo” Gualtieri
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Mexican female stars Mayelli Flores and Irma ¨Torbellino¨ Garcia sign with MVP
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Basil to fight Britanico on April 26 in Delpan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Race briefing of Mt. Apo Boulder Face on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Camigue fights in Tanzania on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Captures Three More Wins on Day Three at World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • 1,400 runners in Sagisag Davao Leg
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • The Marvelous Cup Invitational tourney set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing!
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • All Star Boxing Announces 'Clash of the Unbeaten' on May 22nd In Panama
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Oliver Laroya Chess Tournament on April 25
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • WBC WORLD CHAMPION DALTON SMITH SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM BOXING
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team Swept Day Two of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • FAELDONIA & NGO RULE STA. FE, ROMBLON, TABLAS OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines heads to Okada, Manila
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • May 16: Kelvin Davis-Peter Dobson Welterweight Clash & Yan Santana-Cristian Cruz Featherweight Battle Added to Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II Card LIVE on DAZN
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • World Super Flyweight contender John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez waiting for Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’ final decision
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Former champ Lawrence Okolie tested positive in VADA testing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Salim Ellis-Bey Secures Win for Team USA on Day One of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Garcia, Young, Gatus banner tough field in 20th Philippine Xiangqi Open Tournament on May 1
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION APRIL 20 APRIL 2026: Baumgardner Outpoints Shin, Retains IBF/WBA/WBO 130 Lb Titles; Daniels Stops Green in 9; Lorente SD Collins in WBC Welter Eliminator
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • ​Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Year of Memories Between the Ring and Faith
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 21 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.