With no sponsors, Casimero to defend crown in Panama

IBF Junior flyweight world champion Johnriel Casimero of the Philippines will defend his title in Panama, the home country of his mandatory challenger Luis ‘Pan Blanco’ Rios.

Promoter Sammy Gello-ani informed this writer that the fight will take place on March 16.

Gello-ani’s SGG Promotions with the help of Sampson Boxing won the purse bidding for the rights to the fight held earlier this month. But Gello-ani lamented that “with the sizable promotional budget, Philippine television has not yet shown their support hence the only way is to bring the fight to the country that can support the mandatory defense and Panama is more than willing to host it.”

“We are likewise given an opportunity to another world championship for one of my other fighters, John Mark Apolinario who will fight Roberto Vasquez in a rematch for the interim WBA bantamweight title.”

Gello-ani added: “With two title belts at stake, it is very hard to get support here in the Philippines hence we opted to go to Panama. Casimero has proven that he can fight anywhere and hopefully Apolinario can repeat what he has shown against Vasquez in Argentina.

The Philippines vs Panama fight card is promoted by Sampson Boxing LLC.

Apolinario and the Panamanian Vasquez fought to a draw last year while Casimero won twice on the road under very difficult circumstances in Argentina and Mexico.