Philippines, 15 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


WEIGHTY ISSUES: CASIMERO TO MOVE UP IN HIS NEXT BOUT


PhilBoxing.com




CEBU CITY ? Johnriel Casimero (19W (11KO's)-L2) lost his IBF world junior flyweight title at the scales when he came in at 113.25 lbs during the official weigh-in held Friday morning at SM Cebu Events Center. Challenger Mauricio Fuentes (16W (10KO's)-L2) of Colombia made the division limit of 108 lbs on his first try.

During the press conference held immediately after the weigh-in, it was officially announced by GAB Commissioner Fritz Gaston, who was supervising for the IBF, and the Games and Amusements Board officials that Casimero opted not to shed weight. He will be wearing heavier gloves and is no longer world champion.

The title will be declared vacant if Casimero wins but Fuentes can win the belt if he beats Casimero.

This was supposed to be the fourth title defense - his second defense here in the Philippines and his first in Cebu. Last October in Makati City, he beat Felipe Salguero of Mexico by TKO in 11 rounds. In this fight, Casimero also struggled to make weight but still managed to make the division limit.

Trainer Pingping Tepora said during the presscon that they could not go down in weight any further. Promoter Sammy Gello-ani said it will also present a danger to the boxer?s health if he is forced to go down in weight.

Fuentes stated during the presscon that this is a good opportunity for him because he knows Casimero is weak. Casimero however promised a good fight for the fans.

The Colombian challenger?s last fight was a fifth round TKO win over Gustavo Cortez in his hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia. The latest rankings of IBF has him at number 12 with top two slots vacant. Both Casimero and Gello-ani expressed their apologies to the fans. Gello-ani said however that Casimero will be campaigning at flyweight and could fight for the 112 lb division title after one or two bouts. Casimero did make one foray into the flyweight division but he was stopped by then IBF champ Moruti Mthalane in South Africa three years ago. He would turn his career around in 2012 when he went back to 108 lbs and won the vacant IBF light flyweight title against Luis Lazarte in Argentina.

The infamous fight against Lazarte, which was marred by an ugly riot by Argentinian fans who attacked Team Casimero, was cited by Gello-ani during the presscon as his source of motivation for Casimero. ?I told him that this title is something that we almost paid for with our lives.?

But Casimero is now an ex-champion. He and his team will be pondering his future in the hours going into his battle against Fuentes. The fight will be held May 3 Saturday 7PM at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and will be covered on television by ABC-5. There will be interesting fights on the undercards - Harmonito dela Torre vs Gadwin Tubigon for the vacant WBF International superfeatherweight title, Jack Tepora vs Joash Apericio for the vacant World Boxing Federation International super bantamweight title, Rey Labao (Philippine lightweight champ) vs Rodel Wenceslao, and Jessie Cris Rosales vs Anthony Sabalde for the WBO Youth Asia-Pacific featherweight title.

Also set to see action are miniflyweights Mark Anthony Florida vs Joey Canoy (8 rounds), miniflyweights Jessie Espinas vs Philip Jun Pronco (8 rounds), flyweights Jimboy Haya vs Carlo Demecillo ( 6 rounds) and junior flyweights Jumuel Lacar vs Honorato Boc (4 rounds).



PHOTOS by MARY JANE CATRIZ


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Manny motors to Vegas
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Bakbakan sa Elorde on July 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Ringside, Still: Remembering Chino Trinidad
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.