Pinoy Casimero retains IBF belt

Johnriel Casimero of the Philippines remains a world champion.

The boxer from the Omega boxing gym of Cebu retained his IBF junior flyweight title by logging a unanimous decision victory against hometown boy Luis Alberto Rios of Panama at the Megapolis Convention Center in Panama City yesterday.

Casimero won by a wide margin of 119-109 on two judges and 118-110 on the other.

This was Casimero’s second successful defense of the title he won by 10th round technical knockout over Argentina’s Luis Lazarte last February 2012.

Casimero, who improved to 18W-2L, 10 KOs, had a successful first defense last August 2012 by beating Pedro Guevara via split decision in Mexico.

Rios suffered his second career loss to frop to 18W-2L-1D, 13 KOs. Jake Donovan of boxingscene.com reported that Casimero dictated the tempo of the fight with his jab. It was the factor that swayed the fight in his favor.

In the other Philippines vs Panama match-up, John Mark Apolinario of Sarangani and Roberto Vasquez once again battled to a 12-round draw in their fight for the vacant WBA interim bantamweight title.

One judge scored it for the Apolinario, 116-112, one for the Panamanian, 116-112, and one had it even 114-114.