Lewkowicz wins bid for Casimero-Luis title fight

Sampson Boxing LLC of Sampson Lewkowicz won the purse bidding for the IBF junior flyweight title fight between defending champion Johnriel Casimero of the Philippines and mandatory challenger Luis Alberto Rios of Panama.

Lewkowicz represented Casimero and Promoter Sammy Gello-ani during the purse bidding held January 2 at the IBF head office in Springfield, New Jersey.

Philboxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama reported that the winning bid from Sampson Boxing was for $132,000, way ahead of the $95,000 offered by Promociones y Eventos del Istmo, the other participant.

Lindsey E. Tucker, the IBF Championships Chairman, stated that “The Champion gets 75 percent and the challenger gets 25 percent. The Promoter Sampson Boxing has 90 days to put the fight on.”

The champion Casimero (17W-2L, 10KOs) of Ormoc City stands to receive a purse of $99,000, while challenger Rios (18W-1L-1D, 13KOs) will earn $33,000 for the title fight.

The venue of the title fight is still to be confirmed, though it’s expected that it will take place in the Philippines. But there has been a precedent where Casimero fought in a neutral venue. Last December 2009, Casimero fought in Nicaragua against a Colombian boxer, Cesar Canchilla and stopped him in 11 rounds for the WBO interim world light flyweight title.

Casimero, who fights out of the Omega Boxing Gym of Mabolo,Cebu City, had two victories on the road last year. He beat hometown boy Luis Lazarte of Argentina in Mar de Plata by 10th round TKO in the infamous riot-marred fight last February for the interim IBF crown.

Then, after receiving recognition as the regular world champion from the IBF in July, he had a successful first title defense last August against Pedro Guevara by split decision in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Rios earned the right to be the No. 1 contender for Casimero’s title by beating Mexican Felipe Salguero by 11th round knockout last October.

Gello-ani’s SGG Promotions previously expressed their hopes that Casimero can secure television and local sponsors in the Philippines who can support their bid to stage the fight here.