Quijano: My cards read Quadro Alas

Quijano: My cards read Quadro Alas

Today is the day of reckoning for both John Riel Casimero and Guillermo Rigondeaux. To recall, Casimero was supposed to face compatriot Nonito Donaire, but that bout fell through because of some tension and bad blood that developed between the two warriors.

Rigo steps in and voila, we have an intriguing stylistic matchup that has the boxing cognoscenti divided.

CASIMERO. After losing unexpectedly to another Pinoy fighter in Jonas Sultan back in 2017, “Quadro Alas” has gone 6-0, all via the abbreviated route, and won the WBO bantamweight title in the process.

Casimero fights with a take-no-prisoners approach with knockout power in both hands. Though he isn’t a slugger but more of a boxer-puncher, he relishes exchanges and doesn’t hesitate to initiate them.

His most impressive performances came against world champions Zolani Tete and Amnat Ruenroeng whom he both knocked out. His weight loss woes seem to be a thing of the past as he has looked strong and powerful in the bantamweight division.

RIGONDEAUX. Not exactly the most pleasing to watch, but terribly effective as a fighter. His lone loss comes from probably one of the greatest fighters of this generation—Vasyl Lomachenko. After that loss, he has bounced back nicely with three wins, two via knockout.

He fights as a crafty ring technician who likes to make his opponent miss. He doesn’t have much power, but he can be very accurate with his counters.

MY TAKE. Rigo doesn’t know how to fight any other way and so it’s incumbent upon Casimero’s team to come up with an efficient game plan against “The Jackal.”

On paper, Casimero’s style looks to be perfect for Rigo’s counter-punching strategy. The former has to be patient and pick his spots early in the fight, and should also try to smother Rigo by pushing him back and mauling him against the ropes.

Rigo is fast and quick even though he is much older, but he has been hurt by single solid shots before.

This is where Quadro Alas is most dangerous. During exchanges in the pocket, he is capable of hurting you with short, compact punches that are not telegraphed.

Casimero’s feral aggression, youth and power will catch up at some point in the fight.

Rigo will fight back valiantly, but he will get stopped probably around the ninth or 10th round.

VERBATIM. “I think we’re fighting the tougher fight, we’re fighting the guy who beat Donaire.” — Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions (www.mb.com.ph)

LAST ROUND. It’s on Subzilog’s heart and soul, Assistant City Prosecutor of Talisay City, Benjo Luther Macion, who celebrates his birthday today. Cheers, Pre!

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