Casimero back on Wednesday
A TRIUMPHANT Johnriel Casimero is expected to arrive in Cebu on Wednesday (Aug. 8) at 10:30 a.m. after successfully defending his IBF junior flyweight world title in Mexico last Sunday by beating Mexican challenger Pedro Guevara.
Together with trainer Cristopher ‘Pingping’ Tepora and promoter Sammy Gello-ani, the Omega Gym star boxer beat the odds and won by split decision in his opponent’s home court.
“The team is happy that Casimero made it. We feel honored that IBF President, Daryl J. Peoples supervised the fight,” boxing promoter Sammy Gello-ani said in his e-mail entry.
This is Casimero’s third win in Latin America. In 2009, he beat Colombia’s Cesar Canchilla by 11th round TKO in Nicaragua for the interim WBO lt.flyweight title. Last February, Casimero became an interim IBF champion after stopping Luis Lazarte of Argentina by 10th round TKO in the infamous riot-marred bout in Mar de Plata.
Casimero was recognized as the regular world champion by the IBF last July 19.
Casimero also joins the short list of Filipinos who won world title bouts on Mexican soil, namely Luisito Espinosa, Rodel Mayol, Ana Julaton and Donnie Nietes.
Nietes accomplished the feat three times. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.
