Philippines, 18 May 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:

  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN IN MANCHESTER ON JULY 5 LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sun, 18 May 2025
  • Jayson Mama Set to Challenge for IBO World Super Flyweight Title in Johannesburg
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Fisher vs Allen 2: Can Johnny Make Necessary Improvements?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Weights from Panamá City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • CRUZ LANDS IBF ELIMINATOR AGAINST MISHIRO IN NEW YORK
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Fisher and Allen Hit the Scales Ahead of Highly Anticipated Heavyweight Rematch
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Boxing: Sport Entertainment or Entertainment Sport (Part Two)
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • NYC PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: BERLANGA VS. SHEERAZ / SHAKUR STEVENSON VS. WILLIAM ZEPEDA
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • HALL OF FAME TRAINER FREDDIE ROACH TO BE HONORED BY THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES IN PUBLIC CEREMONY AT FREDDIE'S GYM!
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • HALL OF FAME BROADCASTER JIM LAMPLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • Minnesota, Indiana Back Again in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • In Jonathan’s memory
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • WATCH: HITCHINS AND KAMBOSOS JR IN INTENSE FACE-OFF WITH ONE MONTH UNTIL NYC SHOWDOWN
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Toledo-Xignex Trojans finally win the PCAP online team chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Former WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Nazarena Romero to Exercise Immediate Rematch Clause Against Mayelli Flores Rosquero
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Pacquiao's Controversial WBC Ranking Explained: "Legend" Status Cited Amid July Return
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • No-contest ruling awaited
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • FISHER VS. ALLEN 2 + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Tyler Langer Defeats Raphael Carolina By Unanimous Decision in Headline Bout of Jeter Promotions Card at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Canelo vs. Crawford Bout Faces Date and Venue Shift
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • BROADCAST TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR “CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING” ON THURSDAY, MAY 22
    , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • UNBEATEN AMATEUR WORLD CHAMPION TIAH-MAI AYTON SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
    , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • Arum Targets Manila Rematch: Navarrete vs. Suarez 2 Eyed for Thrilla in Manila Anniversary
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • Ron Johnson’s American Dream Presents & Nothing But Sportz Announce “The Caribbean Clash” Boxing Event at Miami’s James L. Knight Center on Saturday, August 9
    , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • Francis Chua is Fighting for Family in Comeback fight as he eyes Future fight with Harry Garside
    , Tue, 13 May 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.