Casimero to defend world belt on July 21 at Araneta Coliseum

IBF junior flyweight world champion Johnriel Casimero of the Omega Boxing Gym of Mabolo, will defend his title against Mauricio Fuentes of Colombia at the Araneta Coliseum on July 21.

Casimero (18W-2L, 10 KOs) has successfully defended his title twice overseas and will be fighting as a champion on home soil for the first time.

Casimero’s trainer Cristopher ‘Pingping’ Tepora spoke to Cebu Daily News Monday afternoon and said that he expects Casimero, who is in his hometown of Ormoc City, to be back in the Omega gym this week to begin the intensive phase of his training regimen.

Tepora said that he is still looking for the fight films of Fuentes (16W-2L, 10 KOs), who has fought all of his pro fights in Colombia. In his last outing, the 23 year-old Fuentes won by 5th round TKO against Gustavo Cortes. Three of his last four bouts have ended by TKO.

The 23 year-old Casimero won the vacant title last February 2012 against Luis Lazarte of Argentina by 10th round TKO and was attacked by partisan fans in Mar de Plata. Last August 2012, Casimero defeated Pedro Guevara by split decision in Mexico for his first title defense then beat Luis Alberto Rios by unanimous decision in Panama March 17 of this year.