The triumphant members of Team Casimero are expected to arrive in Cebu on Wednesday August 8 at 10:30 AM. Promoter Sammy Gello-ani informed philboxing in an e-mail which included his thoughts about the win. "The team is happy that Johnriel Casimero made it. We feel honoured that the IBF President, Daryl J. Peoples supervised the fight."
Casimero successfully defending his IBF junior flyweight world title in Mexico last Sunday by beating Mexican challenger Pedro Guevara. Together with trainer Cristopher 'Pingping' Tepora and Gello-ani, the Omega Gym boxer beat the odds and won by split decision.
This was Casimero's third victory in Latin America. In 2009, he beat Cesar Canchilla of Colombia by 11th round TKO in Nicaragua for the interim WBO lt.flyweight title. Last February, Casimero became an interim IBF champion by beating Luis Lazarte of Argentina by 10th round TKO in that infamous bout in Mar de Plata marred by a ring riot. He was recognized as the regular world champion by the IBF last July.
Casimero holds a belt that traces its lineage to his countryman, Dodie Boy Pe?alosa, who was crowned the first junior flyweight champion of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) in 1983 after he beat Satoshi Shingaki of Japan.
Other Filipinos who have won belts in the 108 lb division are Tacy Macalos (IBF 1988-89), Rolando Pascua (WBC 1990-91), Rodel Mayol (WBC 2009-2010),Brian Viloria (WBC 2006, IBF 2009) and Donnie Nietes (WBO 2011-present).
Casimero also joins the short list of Filipinos who emerged victorious in world title bouts on Mexican soil, namely Luisito Espinosa, Rodel Mayol, Ana Julaton and Donnie Nietes who accomplished the feat three times.
(File Photo ? Left to right ? Sammy Gello-ani, Johnriel Casimero and Pingping Tepora in Argentina last February)
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