Casimero braces for Calderon
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 12 Mar 2010
Johnriel Casimero sat at the far right side of the room waiting for the ceremonies to start. The other athletes did not recognize him. Only the sports scribes who cover boxing noticed him.
.Casimero was one of the Cebu-based boxers who received citations for their ring accomplishments last year during the 28th SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards Thursday evening. It?s been three months since his breakthrough performance against Cesar Canchila of Colombia. His 11th round knockout victory for the WBO interim lt.flyweight title came less than a week before Christmas.
Beneath the tranquil demeanour was a pugilist preparing for a fierce storm that lies ahead. He knows he is just a ?champion in waiting?. The real champion is a formidable one having scored 14 title defenses at minimuweight, five defenses at light flyweight and dubbed ?super champion? by the World Boxing Organization and recognized as the world champion by Ring magazine.
The 20 year old Casimero (14-0, 8 KO?s) has told everyone who cared to listen about his dream to face Puerto Rico?s Ivan Calderon. Now he will get his chance. Early this month it was reported that the scheduled March 2 purse bids have been cancelled and the promoters have agreed to a fight date around late May.
?I?m back training in the gym.? Casimero told this writer prior to accepting his award.
The 35 year old Calderon (33-0-1, 6 KO?s) is one of the slickest boxers around. Despite his 5 foot stature and advancing age, no one has been able to nail him with a punch good enough for the title to change hands. Now the former high school soccer player from Leyte moves closer towards his dream to face one of boxing?s best and a chance to be called a real world champion.
(Photo above ? Casimero at the 28th Cebu Sports Awards, below- Team Casimero celebrating his title win against Canchila in Managua,Nicaragua)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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