Photo from Sean Michael Ham/ Premier Boxing Champions
WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero (31-4, 21 KOs) successfully defended his title against two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (20-2, 13 KOs) in winning a split decision on the Showtime Championship Boxing main event as it was Cuba vs. the Philippines Saturday night at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California
Casimero stalked in the opening round as Rigondeaux backed, moments later the Filipino roughed up Rigondeaux shoving him to the canvas but continued to attack aggressively. Rigondeaux continued to box as he connected Casimero with the straight left multiple times slowing down the Filipino's attack. Circling the ring in the third, Rigondeaux pawed with the jab as Casimero chased, drawing boos from the crowd as this was not the norm for fans at the "War Grounds." Staying elusive in round four, Rigondeaux continued to box away as Casimero chased the fans continued to show their displeasure.
The champ came out attacking the body as Rigondeaux kept fighting his fight, preventing Casimero's offense, later in the round Casimero landed a big right hand. It continued to be a chess match in the seventh. Later in the eighth, the Filipino lured the Cuban to fight, stand and trade picking up the action. The champion, Casimero did not lose his composure as he continued to stick to the plan, Rigondeaux continued his groove staying away and using the jab.
Casimero continued to chase the elusive Rigondeaux in the ninth as he attempted to get inside with pressure. Late in the fight in the tenth, Casimero pressure with Rigondeux continuing to stick and move cat and mouse. The championship rounds saw Casimero apply pressure but Rigondeaux got rough to start the eleventh. The champ continued to pressure smart as Rigondeaux stood away and wanted no part to convince the judges. In the twelfth and final round, the pressure continued on Casimero's part as Rigondeaux kept his distance and boxed.
In the end the judges scored the bout 115-113 Rigondeaux, 116-112 Casimero, and 117-111 for Casimero.
Unbeaten contender Gary Antonio Russell (18-0, 12 KOs) and former champion Emmanuel Rodriguez (19-2, 12 KO's) were involved in a no-contest as they squared off for the WBA Interim Bantamweight Title in the co-main event. A clash of heads right seconds into the the opening round sent Rodriguez to the canvas in pain as he was on the receiving end of the clash. The fight was stopped at 16 seconds of the first.
Former world champion Rau’shee Warren (19-3, 5 KO's) and Damien Vazquez (15-2, 8 KO's) opened up the Showtime telecast. Warren came out firing from the start and dropped Vasquez with a short right hand as he got up quickly. Another huge right by Warren sat Vasquez back down. Continuing to fight, the three-time Olympian Warren attacked as Vasquez survived. A huge straight left by Warren did it, as Vasquez was extremely hurt staggering around referee Ray Corona immediately waived it at 2:18 of the second.
Undefeated super lightweight Brandon Lee (23-0, 21 KO's) from Yuba City, California made quick work of Argentina's Ezequiel Fernandez (28-5-1, 3 KO's) scoring a first round knockout. Lee floored Fernandez seconds into the bout with a combination. Fernandez was up but a huge shot by Lee knocked Fernandez mouthpiece out and send him to the canvas a second time. Lee finished Fernandez with dropping him a third time as the referee waived it at 1:40 of the first.
Former world champion Juan Carlos Payano (22-5, 11 KO's) of the Dominican Republic stopped Filipino Raymond Tabugo (22-13-1, KOs) in the fifth round. The former world champion Payano overwhelmed Tabugo with pressure, a series of punches the Filipino appeared to be tired as the referee stopped the fight at the end of the fifth.
Argentinian middleweight Alan Castano (14-1, 9 KO's) scored a third round stoppage over Christian Aguirre (8-8, 4 KO's). Castano connected Aguirre with a right hand backing him to the ropes. In round two, Castano patiently attacked connecting Aguirre with solid punches. The Argentinian finished off Aguirre in round three with a series of punches as the referee stepped in to stop the fight at 53 seconds of the third.
Bantamweight Jonas Sultan (17-5, 11 KOs) of the Philippines stopped St. Louis's Sharon Carter (12-5, 3 KO's) in the seventh. From the opening round, Sultan and Carter exchanged heavy shots. The Filipino attacked with the chopping right hand in round two as Carter settled in and boxed. Fighting on the inside in round three, Carter kept Sultan close clinching and limiting his punches but a left hook by Sultan staggered Carter at the end of the round. Referee Ray Corona deducted a point from Carter for holding in the fourth, the Filipino continued his attack staggering Carter a second time with a left hook.
Continuing to pressure in the fifth round, Sultan backed Carter. In the sixth round, Sultan attacked connecting with hard chopping shots. The pressure was too much for Carter as Sultan finished him off in the seventh, a series of punches dropped Carter as the referee stopped the fight at 2:29.
In the opening bout from the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California middleweight Benajamin Stannof (1-0) made his professional debut winning a unanimous decision over Maycon Oiler De Silva (0-2). Stannof had some work as De Silva was tough in going the distance. All three judges scored the bout 40-36.
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