Two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux 20-1 (13) says he isn’t concerned about the vaunted punching power of WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero 30-4 (21) ahead of their clash at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on August 14.
“I’m not worried about Casimero’s power or anything he brings,” said the 40-year-old Cuban southpaw who has only ever lost to pound-for-pound level fight Vasiliy Lomachenko at featherweight.
“I’ve fought in three divisions and I’ve gone after the biggest challenges every time. I’m just not worried about what Casimero will do in the ring.
“It’s simple to me. Casimero is going to do his job and I’m going to do mine. We’ll both bring our ‘A-games’ and see who comes out on top on August 14.
“I’m not a big trash-talker. It’s not about what he’s going to say beforehand. I’ll see him in the ring on August 14 and he’ll get the real Rigondeaux just like he wants. Until then, I’m just focusing on my job.
“He says he’s going to retire me, so it’s on now. We’ll see if he’s able to back up that talk on August 14.
“He’s going to feel my power. Everyone is talking about his power and I feel like my power is being underestimated. I can’t wait to get in the ring on August 14 and show everyone what I’m capable of.
“I can guarantee that everyone is going to see the best of me on August 14. I perform best under the bright lights and that’s what I’m bringing to this fight.
“Casimero is a good opponent. Every opponent that I face believes that they can beat me, but the pressure is on them to back that up. I can only control what I bring and I know I’m going to be ready.
“I moved down to bantamweight because nobody wanted to fight me at 122-pounds. I’m the best fighter at that weight and everyone knows it. But no one wanted to fight me, so it just made sense to go down to bantamweight.”
Rigondeaux holds the WBA ‘regular’ 118-pound title behind full champion Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue 21-0 (18). Victory over Casimero will create a groundswell of support for a fight against the Japanese superstar.
For now though, Rigondeaux is solely focused on the 32-year-old Filipino.
“We are in the home stretch of training and everything has been going great. We’re fully focused on and excited about this fight coming up on August 14,” Rigondeaux said.
“It’s about patience before everything. That’s how I live. Whoever is standing across the ring from me on fight night, I will be ready for him regardless.
“I’ve always been at the world championship level and everyone knows that. At this point, I’m just waiting for August 14 to again show what I’m capable of and take care of business.”
