Philippines, 01 Jun 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:

  • Davao Chess Eagles in FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Pido retains crown, Pulleda wins
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Juarez defeats Valle by split decision to retain WBC belt in El Paso,Texas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Jose Sulaiman's 95th birthday is being celebrated with events around the world
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan is now one of the IBF board of directors
    , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament gets underway
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Lieutenant Delfin Boholst: Soldier, Boxing Coach, Mentor
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford: Bad Blood Equals Good Fight
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • WBC Issues Rules Clarification for Designating David Benavidez Mandatory Challenger to Noel Mikaelian External Inbox Andre Courtemanche -- Big Media Buzz
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • FOSTER VS. FORD – WEIGHTS AND THE FINAL WORD AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • AWE to Air Live the WBC World Title Rematch of Kevin Lerena v. Ryad Merhy this Saturday
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Juego Todo exists in two powerful dimensions
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • ‘The Homecoming’ Postponed in Vancouver
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • “While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • 20 Matchups Set for 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, To Determine 2026 USA Wrestling World Championship Teams
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • RJJ Boxing & “RJJ Saving the Kids” Presents World Boxing Association International Middleweight Championship! Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence and Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Taguig boxing clinic starts
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Brico Santig Wins IBF “Most Active Promoter” Award
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • FOSTER AND FORD IN FIERY FACE-OFF IN HOUSTON
    , Thu, 28 May 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.