Philippines, 21 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


CELESTINO CABALLERO RETURNS IN A WBC TITLE FIGHT AGAINST ROMANIAN VIOREL SIMION IN PANAMA


PhilBoxing.com




PANAMA CITY, Panama - An exciting international boxing card on April 20 in Panama will mark the return of former 2-division world champion Celestino "Pelench?n" Caballero (left) of Panama in a 12-round WBC Silver Featherweight (126 lbs - 9 st) title fight against the undefeated WBC International featherweight champion Viorel Simion (16-0, 7KO's) of Lehliu Gar?, Romania.

The winner becomes mandatory challenger to the regular WBC featherweight crown now on the head of veteran slugger Daniel Ponce de Le?n (44-4, 35KO's) of Chihuahua, M?xico, who is due to defend his coveted golden/green belt from the dangerous fists of undefeated Puerto Rican rising star WBC #5 featherweight Jayson V?lez (25-0, 20KO's) on March 2 in New York.

The 5' 11" Celestino "Pelench?n" Cabellero (36-4, 23KO's), who already defeated Ponce de Le?n back in 2005, gets back into fighting mode after more than a year absence as result of conflicts with promoters and schedules, being his last outing a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Japanese challenger Satoshi Osono (23-2, 17KO's) in December 2011 in Yokohama, Japan.

"I'd fight Ponce de Le?n or Mikey Garc?a, if they are willing to take the risk," said Caballero during training here in Panama.

The 36-year-old Panamanian vacated his WBA Featherweight title last year and is the current #1 Featherweight fighter by the WBC. His April opponent, Viorel Simion, is WBC #3.

Currently under contract with the promotion company of recording artist Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Caballero is scheduled to fly back to Las Vegas to continue his preparation at the Floyd Mayweather Gym with his trainer Jeff Mayweather.


Nick Klappert.

The Caballero-Simion card at the Roberto Duran Arena in Panama on April 20 will feature thrilling international rising stars as jr. middleweight prospect Nick Klappert (15-1, 10KO's) of Brandenburg, Germany, who three weeks ago knocked out Tanzanian Said Yazidu in Luxembourg.

Moreover, in the line up stands out unbeaten knockout artist Zapir "Zap" Rasulov (25-0, 23KO's) of Buynaksk, Russia, in his second consecutive lightweight fight in Panama; this time the Russian will be battling for the vacant IBO Inter-Continental belt.


Rusalov.

The tough Russian's last skirmish was a brutal round 1 knock out triumph over Colombian Joel Cassiani last March at the Roberto Duran Arena in Panam?.

Zap Rasulov, 25, is handled by his long time German promoter Mario Pokowietz of Power F. Boxing (also the manager of unbeaten WBA middleweight world champion Gennady "GGG" Golovki), and trains with the Panamanian stable of boxers "Los Roqueros" under the guidance of the experience 50-year-old Panama trainer former fighter Francisco "Tolete" Arroyo.
.

Mohamadreza "Shazzan" Hamze.

In addition, the exciting Caballero-Simion card will showcase Iranian welterweight warrior Mohamadreza "Shazzan" Hamze, 24, in his fourth professional fight.

"Shazzan" Hamze, promoted by Promociones y Eventos del Istmo, will fight for the first time in Panama after his unanimous decision win over Thai kick boxer Suwichanon Boonpamual three weeks ago in Bangkok, Thailand.

This exciting international boxing show will take place at the famed Roberto Duran Arena and will be televised by Panama's TV Max Channel 9 in a production of Rogelio Espi?o, whose company Promociones y Eventos del Istmo, received last week the award to "Panama's Best Promotion Company of Year."


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Ancajas wins 1st bout as feather
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Ito knockouts Lerasan in 1st round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Kristian ‘KP’ Prenga developing into Albanian heavyweight boxing GOAT
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • IIEE PSME Quezon City Simba’s Tribe amazed with GAB Chairman Rivera’s advocacy for chess players
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • ‘CALM’ PERO READY TO FACE MILLER’S FIRE
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez's son Aaron wins professional debut
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Top Super Featherweights Tsendy Erdenebat & Cobia Breedy Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Registration Now Open for the Return of the Butterfly Brawl at the Iconic Santa Monica Pier – August 22, 2026
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Brackets Set for USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team at World Boxing Cup - Stage One
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Team Altagracia Primus Praedia Land Holding champ in Pacquiao chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • 2-Division World Champion  Daniel Ponce De León Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: First Round Game 1 Recap
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 20 Apr 2026
  • FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu gains a total of 36 rating points, bringing his FIDE rating to 2321 by May after completing 2 chess tournaments in Spain
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 20 Apr 2026
  • Irish super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde Improves to 15-0 with 10th KO
    , Mon, 20 Apr 2026
  • IBA Bare-Knuckle Director attends historic Gambian Elite National Championships
    , Sun, 19 Apr 2026
  • Rosales stops Obedencio in RFL 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 19 Apr 2026
  • Atty. Aldwin Alegre shines in 23rd Bangkok Chess Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Apr 2026
  • Suslenkov knocks out Mann to headline explosive IBA Pro 16 night in Serpukhov
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • AJ Manas off to a hot start in Indonesia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Camila Zamorano WBC female champion health update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • PH Athletics team shines in the 2026 Singapore Open Track and Field Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • JESSE RODRIGUEZ CHALLENGES ANTONIO VARGAS FOR WBC BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE IN GLENDALE ON JUNE 13
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND PHOTOS FROM SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS - TOMORROW, APRIL 18 AT FRONTWAVE ARENA IN OCEANSIDE, CALIF.
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • OFFICIAL ‘REVOLUTION’ WEIGHTS FROM CORK, IRELAND
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • MIKHAIL GRIGORYAN DEFEATS JEO SANTISIMA, CROWNED NEW IBF ASIA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION IN SERPUKHOV
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.