Two-Division World Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux Takes on WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero

Carson, California

Rising Unbeaten Contender Antonio Russell Steps Up To Battle Former World Champion Emmanuel Rodríguez For Interim WBA Bantamweight Title in Co-Foremost Occasion

Former World Champion Rau’shee Warren Duels

Damien Vázquez In Telecast Opener at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and also will see rising unbeaten contender Antonio Russell face the hardest check of his profession in former world champion Emmanuel Rodríguez as they vie for the WBA Interim Bantamweight Title within the co-main occasion. Kicking off the telecast, former world champion Rau’shee Warren duels Damien Vázquez in a 10-round bantamweight bout.

A longtime champion of the 122-pound division, Rigondeaux (20-1, 13 KOs) moved down in weight and captured a WBA bantamweight title towards Liborio Solis in February 2020 on SHOWTIME. Since turning skilled in 2009 after the most effective novice careers in historical past, Rigondeaux has showcased masterful technical abilities that made him a unified tremendous bantamweight world champion and perennial member of the pound-for-pound record. A two-time Olympic gold medalist for his native Cuba, Rigondeaux made his identify with victories over the likes of Nonito Donaire, Rico Ramos and Joseph Agbeko.

“It is a large combat for me and my crew as a result of we’ve got an opportunity to win that WBO title,” mentioned Rigondeaux. “Combating on SHOWTIME as soon as once more goes to be enjoyable and I’m grateful for the chance. Though I’ve been out of the ring for properly over a 12 months, I’m nonetheless in nice form and have plans to spoil Casimero’s goals. I do know he has loads of energy, however he’s combating a person with glorious boxing abilities and a excessive ring IQ. I’m going to field circles round Casimero and present him what ‘El Chacal’ is all about. My coach Ronnie Shields, and I’ve been engaged on some new methods, so don’t be stunned if I knock him out.”

The 32-year-old Casimero (30-4, 21 KOs) of Ormoc Metropolis, Leyte, Philippines will make his second title protection on this August 14 matchup, having efficiently defended it for the primary time by knocking out Duke Micah in September 2020. Casimero trains in Las Vegas and initially gained the title with a powerful third-round stoppage of Zolani Tete in November 2019. The three-division champion had beforehand captured titles at flyweight and lightweight flyweight in a profession that dates again to 2007. This might be his third profession combat within the U.S. and his second to happen at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park.

The center brother between WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Jr. and 2016 U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne, Antonio Russell (18-0, 12 KOs) introduced his arrival amongst the bantamweight division contenders with a technical determination over former world champion Juan Carlos Payano in December 2020 on SHOWTIME. The 28-year-old from Capitol Heights, Md. turned professional in 2015 after a powerful novice profession. After 4 wins in 2019, Russell kicked off 2020 defeating Jesus Martinez in February.

“I’m very excited for this combat on August 14 on SHOWTIME,” mentioned Russell. “I’ve put within the work and I’m all the time able to combat, regardless of when the decision comes. I’m so targeted proper now. Rodriguez is the one factor on my thoughts and I’m able to placed on a present.”

The 28-year-old Rodríguez (19-2, 12 KOs) returns to motion after dropping a controversial split-decision to Reymart Gaballo final December on SHOWTIME. Combating out of Manati, Puerto Rico, Rodríguez gained the IBF Bantamweight World Title with a unanimous determination victory over Paul Butler in 2018 and efficiently defended it towards then-unbeaten Jason Moloney. Rodríguez went on to lose the title to unbeaten champion Naoya Inoue of their Might 2019 title bout.

“I can’t wait to get again within the ring for this combat,” mentioned Rodríguez. “Everybody is aware of what occurred in my final combat towards Gaballo. This time, I’m not leaving it as much as the judges. I’m going for the knockout and a press release victory.”

Warren (18-3, 4 KOs) bounced again from an in depth determination loss in a world title combat towards then unbeaten former champion Nordine Oubaali in January 2019 by incomes choices over Gilberto Mendoza and Sharone Carter. A southpaw from Cincinnati, Ohio, Warren gained the WBA Bantamweight World Championship with a majority determination over Juan Carlos Payano in 2016 and misplaced the title the subsequent 12 months to Zhanat Zhakiyanov by split-decision. The 34-year-old turned the primary three-time Olympic boxer from the U.S. when he certified for consecutive Olympic groups in 2004, 2008 and 2012.

“Vázquez will not be the kind of fighter that may compete with me,” mentioned Warren. “Once they despatched me the identify, I checked out one among his fights and 10 seconds was all I wanted to see. I actually need to face Rigondeaux, however I’m going to deal with this and I’m going to attend till I get who I need to get. I’ve been sparring with loads of prime amateurs and that’s been maintaining me sharp. They throw punches in bunches they usually’re maintaining me on my toes heading into August 14.”

The 24-year-old southpaw Vázquez (15-2-1, 7 KOs) was born in Thornton, Col. and now fights out of Las Vegas. The youthful brother of former two-time champion Israel Vázquez, he most just lately misplaced to tremendous bantamweight champion Brandon Figueroa final September after having beforehand scored a stoppage win over Alejandro Moreno in February of 2020. Vázquez turned professional in 2013 and reeled off 14 consecutive wins to start his profession within the paid ranks.

“It is a nice alternative for me,” mentioned Vázquez. “I turned professional at sixteen-years-old, so I took a a lot wanted break after the Brandon Figueroa combat. Now I’m again and extra prepared than ever. I’m again combating at bantamweight and that’s for positive one of the best weight for me going ahead. I’m prepared to point out the world what I’m able to. That is going to be a battle. Warren is a world class fighter, but when he thinks that is a straightforward combat, then he’s completely mistaken and I’ll show it on August 14.”