IBF light flyweight Johnriel Casimero is less than ten days away from defending his world title in Panama City against mandatory challenger Luis ?Pan Blanco? Rios. The 23 year old Casimero (17W-2L, 10 KO?s) is now tapering down his training to light sparring sessions in his home base, the Omega boxing gym of Cebu.
?We will only do four rounds of light sparring,? Trainer Pingping Tepora told philboxing yesterday, ?This is to keep his reflexes sharp. He will also need to keep down his weight.?
Casimero, who hails from Ormoc City, spent Wednesday noon shadow boxing and hitting the punch mitts. Despite the intense mid-day heat, he wore a sweat suit while hitting the double end bag. Casimero will face Rios (18W-1L-1D, 13 KO?s) in Panama on March 16, which will be Sunday morning March 17 here in the Philippines, the same day that he will be among the honorees for boxing during the 31st SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards.
?With God?s help, Johnriel will remain champion,? Tepora said.
Photo (L-R): Gello-ani, Casimero and Tepura.
