Casimero edges Rigondeaux by split decision in low action bout to retain title

While the constant movement stifled Casimero to only landing 47 punches, Rigondeaux didn't do enough to seize the moment either, connecting on 44 punches himself. By the end of the bout, judges scored it 117-111, 116-112, and 113-115 toward a split decision for Casimero, who retained his WBO bantamweight world title at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday night.

"I wanted a knockout," Casimero told Showtime's Jim Gray following the lackluster title defense. "Rigondeaux is always running, running.

"Rigondeaux always runs," he continued, "no fighting."

There's no doubt that Rigondeaux goaded Casimero into fighting his style of fight. The champ dropped his gloves out of frustration, begging the Cuban veteran to engage and fight several times in the bout to no avail.

While one could marvel that the 40-year-old Rigondeaux could maintain that kind of fitness to constantly move around the ring for 12 rounds, he didn't bother engaging at all.

At the same time, Rigondeaux's movement put Casimero in constant pursuit as the champion swung and missed plenty in this fight. Rigondeaux connecting on counterpunches made the champ think twice about pressing the action further, and that led to an even lower action performance.

Aside from arguably stunning Rigondeaux with a short right hand and having a knockdown waved off by the ref as a slip in the opening round, the champion's explosive power was never uncorked. Rigondeaux snapped the champ's head back with counterpunches a few times but never tried to capitalize on the moments.

"God gave me those skills, and that's how I display them," Rigondeaux said defending his performance and constant movement.

The lackluster affair, which was serenaded by boos from the Carson, Calif. crowd could have gone either way, though DAZN News scored it a 114-114 draw.

What he lacked in performance, Casimero made up for by calling out WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire and unified world champ Naoya Inoue, giving the middle finger to the latter.

Here's how the entire card went.