LUIS Alberto Rios (17-1-1, 12 KOs) of Panama and Felipe Salguero (16-3-1, 11 KOs) of Mexico will fight in an IBF eliminator on Oct. 25 with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger to current IBF world light flyweight champion Filipino Johnriel Casimero.
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has posted the schedule on their website, www.ibf-usba-boxing.com. The fight is set at the Roberto Duran Arena in Panama City.
Salguero is familiar to Filipino boxing fans having lost in his challenge to WBO light flyweight champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes of the ALA gym last June in Pasay City by unanimous decision. Rios is the reigning WBC Latino lt.flyweight champion and has beaten his last six opponents by the short route.
Casimero (17W-2L, 10 KO’s), who fights out of the Omega Boxing Gym of Mabolo, Cebu City, made a successful first defense of his title last August against Mexican challenger Pedro Guevara by split decision in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Casimero knocked down Guevara with an uppercut in the opening round but the Mexican survived and managed to make it a tense contest until the final bell.
Casimero became an interim champion last February by beating Luis Lazarte of Argentina by 10th round TKO and was immediately attacked by partisan fans in an ugly ring riot in Mar de Plata, Argentina.
He was recognized as the regular world champion by the IBF last July. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.