JOHNRIEL Casimero will finally defends his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight strap in home soil tonight against IBF No. 6 Felipe Salguero in a free boxing show tonight at the Makati Coliseum.
The 23-year-old Casimero won the IBF crown last year with a 10th round technical knockout over Argentinean star Luis Alberto Lazarte in a riot-marred fight in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Casimero has defended his title twice but both title defenses were on enemy soil ? against Pedro Guevara in Mexico and against Luis Alberto Rios in Panama.
This is his first world title defense in the Philippines.
Salguero isn?t a stranger to the Philippines. He has been here once to challenge World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight king Donnie Nietes last year.
Casimero, 18-2 with 10 knockouts, has won four straight fights in a row, in which four were world title fights. Salguero, 18-4-1 with 13 knockouts, has won back-to-back bouts.
The event features a stacked undercard that features some of the best Filipino talents?the likes of Michael Farenas, Mark Geraldo and Froilan Saludar.
Farenas (35-4-4, 27 KOs) faces Thai journeyman Kosol Sor Vorapin (17-16-1, 11 KOs); Geraldo (28-4-3, 12 KOs) takes on Thai Inthanon Sithchamuang (19-5, 10 KOs); and Saludar (17-0-1, 11 KOs) slugs it out with Tahi Tawanrung Eausampan (5-2, 2 KOs).
Also in the undercard, Adones Cabalquinto (14-0, 8 KOs) trades leathers with RJ Anoos (8-4-1, 2 KOs); Jessie Espina (4-1, 3 KOs) faces off with Louie Arlos (8-2, 2 KOs); and Anthony Marcial (19-2, 18 KOs) locks horns with Rodel Wenceslao (6-6-1, 1 KO).
