2248 That’s it from our text coverage at the Citywest.
2245 A gracious Casey is realistic enough to realise he was outclassed by his opponent in his post-fight interview with Marty Morrissey. Interesting to see where he goes next.
Rigondeaux, through a translator, tells Morrissey that he’s enjoyed his trip to Ireland. He even had time to do a bit of sightseeing, taking in the Blarney Stone on his travels. His preparation for the fight may have been slightly unorthodox, but he couldn’t be accused of being complacent after such a devastating display.
Round 1
The boxers handshake signals the start of this super-bantamweight contest. ‘A pair of southpaws and a pair of Willies’ is how commentator Jimmy Magee describes the two fighters.
Rigondeaux unleashes a barrage of body shots early on in the round and Casey winces in pain. A crashing left hook to the jaw sees Casey kiss the canvas. Big Bang gets up for more after a standing count, but a combination of blows to the head sees the ref intervene and stop a total mismatch.
The official verdict is a technical knockout after two minutes and 38 seconds.
2227 The renditions of the national anthems were interesting, to say the least.
2215 We’re in for a fascinating contrast of styles in this barnburner. Rigondeaux is a technically superb practitioner of the sweet science, while Casey is best known for his brawling abilities.
2210 An emailer contacted us earlier asking to know the story behind Big Bang’s striking tattoo. Apparently it’s an inked tribute to his late brother who died after struggling unsuccessfully with a drug problem.
2200 Willie ‘Big Bang’ Casey faces the biggest challenge of his life tonight in his bid for a world title belt, but the Limerick pugilist has achieved a lot in a short space of time.
Bookmakers make him a 4-1 shot to beat Guillermo Rigondeaux, which implies a 20 percent chance of winning. That gives one an idea of the magnitude of the challenge Casey face.
But underestimate Willie Casey at your peril. What Big Bang wants, Big Bang generally gets.
2115 Approximately one hour to go to showtime. Email us your thoughts at sportonline@rte.ie.
1800 – Welcome to our live text commentary as Limerick’s Willie 'Big Bang' Casey attempts to win the WBA interim World Super Bantamweight title at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin.
'Big Bang' is up against Cuban fighter Guillermo Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medallist.
The fight is live on RTÉ Two television and here on RTÉ.ie with the programme starting at 10pm. Users around the world can watch the RTÉ.ie video stream.
There is also live coverage on RTÉ Radio 1, also from 10pm.
The Casey v Rigondeaux fight is due to begin at 10.15pm.
If you’d like to get in touch with us you can email us at sportonline@rte.ie
'Big Bang' Casey, 29, firmly established himself in the Irish boxing consciousness last November when he stopped Paul Hyland in the fourth round to win the EBU Super Bantamweight title.
However, Rigondeaux, 30, is sure to present Casey with a much sterner test. The Cuban is a veteran of over 400 amateur fights, and as well as Olympic golds has won two World Championship golds, a Pan American Games gold, and seven consecutive Cuban national titles.
We’ll have live updates on the fight here but if you’d like to get in touch with us in the meantime to share your views please email us at sportonline@rte.ie.
