JOHNRIEL Casimero gets another crack at becoming a world champion again when he challenges International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion McJoe Arroyo on Dec. 18 in Las Vegas.
Casimero was supposed to fight McJoe’s brother McWilliams in an IBF title eliminator, with the winner getting another shot at IBF flyweight king Amnat Ruenroeng but his international promoter Samson Lewkowicz decided to go to a different path.
“A rematch with Runeroeng would mean that he has to go to Thailand and it would be the same story,” said Lewkowicz, who was in town last Saturday.
The 25-year-old Casimero challenged Ruenroeng last June in Bangkok, Thailand. It was a a very dirty and ugly fight with Ruenroeng walking away with a unanimous decision.
McJoe, a former Olympian, just recently won the IBF suer flyweight belt in July after edging out Arthur Villanueva by technical decision in the 10th round.
The 29-year-old unbeaten Puerto Rican also owns wins over former world champion Hernan “Tyson” Marquez, Mark Anthony Geraldo and David Quijano.
Casimero, the former IBF light flyweight champion, is 21-3 with 13 knockouts, while McJoe is 17-0 with eight knockouts.
“Casimero will be a champion. No doubt,” said Lewkowicz.
On the other hand, the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has already dismissed the complaint filed by Pio Castillo Jr. against Casimero and his Filipino promoter Sammy Gello-ani.
“We have already answered everything,” said Gello-ani. “The GAB disposed the case because the complaint is not supported legally.”
Gello-ani is also optimistic that Castillo Jr.’s case against him and Casimero in the Regional Trial Court will also be dismissed because by law, it is the GAB that has supervision and regulation on all professional sports.
“I hope they will dismiss the case because of lack of jurisdiction,” said Gello-ani.
