FILIPINO pride Vincent “Asero” Astrolabio faces the biggest fight of his life whrn he takes on two-time Olympian Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux of Cuba for the World Boxing Council (WBC) International Bantamweight title on Sunday, Feb. 26 at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.

Astrolabio vowed to slug it out with the older and more-experienced Cuban champion right in the opening bell and possibly, knock him out in five to six rounds of the scheduled 10-round title fight.

The fight is set at 10:30 p.m. Saturday (2:30 a.m. Sunday, Manila time).

“Kung may chance for a knockout, I’ll go for it. Kailangan labanan ng sabayan. Kung kaya, tapusin ko ang laban in fifth or sixth round,” said Astrolabio in an interview with People’s Tonight a day before his departure for the UAE capital last Feb. 18.

“Gaya nga ng sinasabi nila sa akin, kailangan pasukin ko siya at labanan ng sabayan. Kailangan ako ang mag-dikta ng laban. Sa gaya ni Rigondeaux na madami ding fighting styles, hindi pwedeng boxing-boxing lang,” said the 24-year-old fighter from General Santos City, who holds a respectable record of 16-3 win-loss, including 12 by knockouts.

“Hindi maaring bigyan sya ng pagkakataon dahil magaling pa din sya,” added Astrolabio referring to his 41-year-old Cuban opponent, who won the Olympic gold medals in Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004.

MP Promotions coach Nonoy Neri, who will work in the corner of Astrolabio, also expressed confidence in the Filipino’s chance.

“Kapag hindi siya (Rigondeaux) tumakbo at nakipagsabayan siya, goodbye siya. Pag tinamaan siya ni Astrolabio, hindi magtagal yan. Siguradong titiklop siya.”

“Kaya ang bilin ko nga kay Vincent, huwag mag-dalawang isip sa itaas ng ring. Huwag bigyan ng pagkakataon na makasuntok si Rigo pero huwag din masyado lalayo. May pressure lagi. Pag hindi namin pinasok, malayo kami manalo.”

Neri, who also worked in the corner of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, said the age difference will also be a major factor during the fight.

“Sa totoo lang, magaling at mautak na boxer yan si Rigo. I respect him a lot. Pero sa edad niya ngayon, hindi na siya kagaya ng dati. Iba yung Rigondeaux na nakita kong tinalo ni John Riel (Casimero) via split decision last year. At iba yung Rigondeaux na tumalo kay (Nonito) Donaire,” explained Neri.

The third man in the ring is Jurgen Langos of Germany.

Langos took the place of Hector Afu of Panama, who was initially assigned as the referee.

The three judges are Rey Danseco of the Philippines/USA, Gary Kitanoski of Britain and Bela Florian of Hungary.

Meanwhile, Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra wished Astrolabio and his team good luck.

“We wish him well in his coming title fight against Rigondeaux. The whole Filipino nation including those working as OFWs in Dubai will be praying for his success,” said Mitra.