Casimero banks on youth as he guns for IBF crown

Filipino Johnriel Casimero is banking on his youth and size advantage as he guns for the vacant IBF light flyweight crown tomorrow against Argentinian Luis Alberto Lazarte at the Estadio Club Once Unidos, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Team Casimero, composed of trainer Christopher “Pingping” Tepora Jr., who is the head coach of Omega Boxing Gym and Promoter Sammy Gello-ani, had a chance to chat with Lazarte at the hotel lobby prior to yesterday’s final presscon.

The 40-year-old Lazarte even introduced them to his family.

“Lazarte’s eldest son is 22 years old. Casimero was amused to hear that Lazarte’s eldest son is just as young as him,” Gello-ani said in his e-mail to this writer.

Gello-ani also said that Casimero is confident that age will play a big factor in the fight.

“Yes it is an advantage for me …but I will not be banking on that since he was a former world champion himself with a lot of experience in world championship fights,” Casimero told members of the press. “I will not be overconfident in this fight. I will gauge him how he works on the early rounds and do what will be the best option… If I can find an opening in the early rounds I will do everything to finish the fight, if not, I am ready to slug for 12 rounds.”

“El Mosquito” Lazarte for his part is banking on hometown support to beat Casimero but cautioned that the latter is a dangerous fighter saying Casimero is a former world interim champion and still very young.

Casimero enjoys alsmot two inches in height advantage. Gello-ani said that Casimero is now 107.8 lbs, right on target for the 108 lb division limit.

The official weigh in will be held today at the Hotel 15 de Diciembre to be supervised by IBF Supervisor Anibal Miramontes.

Tasked to officiate the fight are Referee Eddie Claudio (USA) while the three judges are Eugene Grant (USA), Richard Green (USA) and Don Trella (USA).

The fight will be held at the Estadio Club Once Unidos, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina and promoted by OR Promotions of Osvaldo Rivero.