Casimero will win by KO if Rigondeaux shows age come fight night, Donaire Sr. predicts

Guillermo Rigondeaux cannot afford to show his age when he gets inside the ring against WBO world bantamweight world champion John Riel Casimero, said Nonito Donaire Sr.

The 40-year-old Cuban Olympic gold medalist is most remembered for beating Nonito Donaire Jr. via unanimous decision in 2013. But observers say that he has slowed down lately, a weakness that he cannot afford come fight night, said the renowned Filipino trainer.

"If Rigondeaux's reflexes are gone, Casimero will finish him easy. If he can't do what used to do Casimero will eventually land," Donaire said.

Casimero has power in both hands, if Rigondeaux gets caught even once, he is going down," he added.

Donaire believes that Rigondeaux will try to keep Casimero at bay all night with his renowned boxing skills. He sees a 50-50 fight on the evening of August 14 but warned that it will only take one punch from the Filipino to end the night.

"I think his strategy will be to outsmart Casimero because he is slick. For Casimero, if he does not change his style of throwing power shots, he won't find the target," he said.

"Casimero wins by knockout but if it goes to the scorecards I am picking Rigondeaux."

—MGP, GMA News