Casimero arrives in Argentina for title duel

JOHNRIEL Casimero of the Omega boxing gym of Mabolo, Cebu City is now in Mar de Plata, Argentina for his Feb. 10 IBF light flyweight title fight against hometown boy Luis “El Mosquito” Lazarte.

The IBF has ordered Lazarte and Casimero to vie for the title after the reigning champion, Ulises Solis of Mexico, suffered a broken jaw due to a well publicized street fight. Solis is still unable to defend his crown giving both Casimero and Lazarte this big break to battle for the title.

All four ring officials will be from the United States — Referee Eddie Claudio and the three judges Eugene Grant, Richard Green and Don Trella.

Promoter Sammy Gello-ani said he expects no weight problems for Casimero as he never left the gym since his last fight. Casimero started working out in a gym in Argentina to shake off jet lag on his arrival.

The 40-year-old Lazarte (49W-10L-2D, 18 KOs) is ranked No. 1 by the IBF. He became world champion by beating Carlos Tamara of Colombia by split decision last May 2010. He lost his title to Solis by split decision last year.

The 21-year-old Casimero (15W-2L, 9 KOs) is the No. 3 ranked contender. He is a former WBO interim light flyweight champion but lost his title to Ramon Garcia Hirales by split decision. Casimero was stopped in South Africa last March 2011 by Moruti Mthalane in five rounds in an attempt to win the IBF flyweight title but returned to his winning ways last October after he stopped Roemart “TI Yamagata” Sentillas at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.