Philippines, 30 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Rigondeaux, Astrolabio Ready for WBC Int'l Battle in Dubai, U.A.E.


PhilBoxing.com




Former world champ Guillermo "El Chacal" Rigondeaux (20-2, 13 KO's) of Miami by way of Santiago de Cuba and hard-hitting Filipino slugger Vincent "Asero" Astrolabio (16-3, 12 KO's) of General Santos City successfully beat the scale ahead of their 12-rounder rumble for the vacant WBC International Bantamweight Strap tomorrow, Saturday, February 26, in "The City of Gold, "Dubai, U.A.E.

Rigondeaux, 41, and Astrolabio, 24, are ready to headline the exciting Dubai boxing show promoted by People's Fighters set to unfold at The Lawns of the plush 36-hole course Emirates Golf Club.

The aggressive come-forward Pinoy made 117.10 pounds, while the elusive, superbly defensive "Chacal" stood up at 117.80 lbs., both men looking in fantastic physical shape, ready for the 12 rounds of action.... although perhaps not that many rounds would be needed. Soon enough we'll find out.

Interestingly, the two fighters can boast world-class corners.

Filipino Vincent Astrolabio on the scales ready to battle against the skilled Cuban veteran Guillermo Rigondeaux.

The glory-hungry Filipino Astrolabio will have with him none other than Nonoy Neri, a beloved former long-time coach of the awesome Manny Pacquiao, while Rigondeaux will have with him Pedro Diaz, the veteran Cuban coach from Santa Clara who for decades worked with the Cuban Olympic Boxing Team. How about that?

The winner for Rigondeaux vs Astrolabio not only gets the brand-new WBC International Belt, but also a super boost in his ranking in the WBC 118-pound weight-class, stepping a notch close to a possible fight against the reigning king "Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire.

Ohhhh, "El Chacal" would love that.

Rigondeaux appears relaxed at the scale in Dubai and looks forward to teach the younger Filipino a lesson in the art of boxing.

More than anything else, Rigondeaux would love to soundly beat Doanire once again. He did that 9 years ago at New York's Radio City Music Hall, and after all these years, Rigo just thinks he can do it again. Can he?

Meanwhile, the well-trained, serious, laser-focused Pinoy Astrolabio is in Dubai to shock and win. While he respects Ringondeaux stellar accomplishments in boxing, he wants to rock him hard.

That's because Astrolabio's sole purpose to fight his way into creating his own mark in the sport that he loves, same as his idol, the legendary "The Pacman" did.

All the above sounds fine and dandy, but at the end who will get the W?

Tickets for the exciting show can be purchased here:

www.800tickets.com/dubai/sports/1621-peoples-fighters

Doors at The Lawn, Emirates Golf Club, open 6 PM (Dubai Time).

Good luck Vincent Astrolabio!

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:

  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • “While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • 20 Matchups Set for 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, To Determine 2026 USA Wrestling World Championship Teams
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • RJJ Boxing & “RJJ Saving the Kids” Presents World Boxing Association International Middleweight Championship! Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence and Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Taguig boxing clinic starts
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Brico Santig Wins IBF “Most Active Promoter” Award
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • FOSTER AND FORD IN FIERY FACE-OFF IN HOUSTON
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Tank Davis could return later this year
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio to compete in Asean Sr chessfest in Singapore
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Murat Gassiev to defend his WBA Heavyweight crown against Yoka at IBA PRO 19
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • ‘Not a Kid Anymore.’ Edward Vazquez Talks About How He’s Matured While Training to Face Daniel Lugo on ProBoxTV in Friday, June 5, Main Event
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Remulla, Ferrer, Matro to grace Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • McHugh next for Dy
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Sweat, Smiles & Strategy: Ador Torres Helps Tim Tszyu Sharpen Up for Errol Spence
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Benavidez receives the Tollan Tlatequi WBC belt in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Llover ready to fight Angeletti on June 6
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Tyson Fury could return in Dublin on August 1st
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Long After the Cheers: Luisito Espinosa…Battle of Manila Bay 2…and an Unofficial World Record Worth Remembering
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Undefeated Knockout Artist Jordan Orozco (16-0, 16 KOs) Continues Rapid Ascent as One of Boxing’s Most Exciting Young Stars
    , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures 13 Medals at 2026 Copa America
    , Wed, 27 May 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.