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Philippines, 03 Feb 2026 |
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CASIMERO FACES TOUGH CHALLENGE BUT DETERMINED TO RETAIN IBF WORLD TITLE By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Fri, 15 Mar 2013  IBF light flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero faces a tough challenge against No. 1 contender Luis Alberto Rios at the Megapolis Convention Center in Panama on Sunday, Manila Time, but is determined to retain his title. Well known promoter Sammy Gello-ani told the Manila Standard in an overseas telephone conversation from Panama that Casimero has been training hard and is ?well prepared? to face the tough and talented Rios who has a record of 18-1-1 with 13 knockouts and will enjoy the hometown advantage. But that doesn?t bother Casimero who is accustomed to fighting abroad and according to Gello-ani, ?he doesn?t care. For him, Panama is like his home country.? However, Gello-ani believes Casimero, who was just one pound over the light flyweight limit on the eve of the weigh-in, has what it takes to make his second successful defense of the title he won with an impressive 10th round TKO over Argentina?s Luis Lazarte on February 10, 2012 in a fight marred by a riot when Lazarte?s supporters attacked Casimero and his team after the decision was announced. The promoter said Casimero had ?enjoyed a good sleep, he?s in shape, very excited, in great condition and ready.? Gello-ani also reported that John Mark ?Iceman? Apolinario (17-2-2, 4 KO?s) is ?very confident he can get the WBA interim bantamweight title in a rematch nwith Roberto Vazquez after earning a controversial majority draw in their November 3, 2012 clash in Argentina. He said the southpaw Vasquez (32-5-1, 22 KO?s) appears to have problems making the weight while Apolinario has no problem at all and this should be an advantage for the Filipino boxer. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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