Casimero, Lazarte make weight; tangle today for vacant IBF title

Filipino Johnriel Casimero is expected to wage the fight of his life when he squares off today against former world champion Luis Alberto Lazarte of Argentina for the vacant IBF light flyweight world title at the Estadio Club Once Unidos, Mar del Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The 21-year-old Casimero of Ormoc City who trains at the Omega Gym in Mabolo, weighed in at 106.7 pounds during yesterday’s official weigh-in. Casimero will try to redeem himself from previous title losses in fights abroad.

Casimero (15W-2L, 9 KOs) lost his WBO interim light flyweight title to Ramon Garcia Hirales in Mexico and lost to Moruthi Mthalane in South Africa in his bid to win the IBF flyweight crown.

Meanwhile, the 40-year-old Lazarte (49W-10L-2D, 18 KOs) tipped the scales at 107.4 lbs. He previously held this title by beating Carlos Tamara of Colombia but lost it to Ulises Solis of Mexico, both by split decisions.

Solis was unable to defend his crown after breaking his jaw in a much publicized street fight prompting the IBF to declare the title vacant and giving Casimero and Lazarte this opportunity.

Solis has been reported to be ready to fight in June and is looking forward to facing the winner of the Casimero-Lazarte encounter.

Casimero and Lazarte will have a second weigh-in this morning in consonance with the rules of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) that require a second weigh-in on the morning of the fight and that the boxers should not exceed ten pounds over the division limit of 108 lbs.

Meanwhile, Promoter Sammy Gello-ani informed Cebu Daily News through e-mail that Casimero is relaxed and comfortable and ready to slug it out for twelve rounds.