CASIMERO LEAVES FOR BEIJING, THREE POUNDS OVER THE FLYWEIGHT LIMIT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 22 May 2016
Former light flyweight champion John Reil Casimero left for Beijing, China early Sunday morning for his May 25th title rematch against IBF champion Amnat Ruenroeng who beat Casimero in a highly controversial, foul-infested bout in their first clash some eleven months ago.
Referee Larry Doggett came under fire for his failure to call several infractions by Amnat including two takedowns and his refusal to count a clear knockdown by Casimero early in the fight but amazingly called a push by Amnat as a knockdown.
Now that Tony Weeks has been appointed referee, Casimero, promoter Sammy Gello-ani and veteran trainer Jhun Agrabio all agree that Amnat won?t be able to get away with the same tactics he used in their first fight.
Casimero worked out on Saturday afternoon in an effort to shed some excess pounds and came in at around 115 pounds and told The Standard ?that?s no problem. I have three days to shed off the excess weight? even though he couldn?t run on Saturday because of the rain and he didn?t want to risk getting sick.
Casimero said ?I have trained hard for this fight and I am ready. It will be a good fight.
He said his left hook will be crucial because that?s the punch that carries the power. Casimero thanked the fans for their support and promised to do his best to return with the IBF flyweight belt and wave the Philippine flag.
Trainer Jhun Agrabio believes weight will be ?no problem? and Casimero will be able to make the 112 pound limit pointing out he has three days to lose three or four pounds.
He said Casimero?s preparation has been good and that the ?experience of the first fight will be helpful. It should be a good fight.?
He was pleased over the appointment of Tony Weeks as referee because ?he?ll give Cssimero a chance to fight.?
Agrabio believes ?Amnat is pressured because if he gambles and tries to do what he did in their last fight he will be disqualified. But he may gamble and engage John Reil and that will make it a good fight.?
He believes that if Casimero gets him with a good shot ? a left hook and a right to the body, he will knock him out.?
However, he stressed that Casimero will have to maintain his focus and fight intelligently and if he does that we will hopefully have a new world champion.
Photo: Johnreil Casimero (R) and trainer Jun Agrabio (L) pose with the author (C).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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