?WE ARE READY FOR SOLIS? ? TEAM CASIMERO
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 15 Feb 2012
Cebu City ? There is no doubt that Johnriel Casimero deserved a hero?s welcome. Winning on the road has always been difficult. A Filipino boxer winning in Argentina was totally unheard of.
But in the midst of the celebrations, questions about the status of Casimero?s belt and a looming fight against Ulises Solis of Mexico had to be asked.
?When we started negotiations, we were told that it was for the interim title.? Promoter Sammy Gello-ani answered, ? The champion Solis as you all know, suffered a broken jaw. He could not defend and the title was vacant so I wanted the fight elevated to a regular world title, the vacant title. Solis could not defend, But I got word that Solis will still be recognized as a champion in recess. Well, if Casimero?s title is interim or a regular title, we will be ready for Solis. He has until October to fight or Casimero will be the regular champion. I don?t believe Solis is ready to fight. He has a court case against Canelo Alvarez. We have the option to defend this belt in June, not necessarily against Solis. We plan to defend this belt here in the Philippines.?
?I have seen a few of Solis? fights. I am ready for him. He had two close fights against Lazarte, one was a draw, then a split verdict, I knocked Lazarte out.? Casimero said.
?One of the things that Johnriel learned leading up to this fight is that he is at his best at 108 lbs. He has no trouble making the weight and he hits harder at light flyweight.? Gello-ani added.
Casimero did lose in his attempt to win the flyweight version of the IBF title from Moruthi Mthalane in South Africa.
Gello-ani also said that Sampson Lewkowicz will personally deliver Casimero?s IBF belt here in the Philippines.
One of the bright prospects of the Omega gym, Jason Canoy, bared his thoughts about the partnership of Casimero and trainer Cristopher ?Pingping? Tepora.
?Pingping and Johnriel are a perfect fit.? Canoy said, ?Pingping knows Johnriel very well. He is familiar with his moods, he knows how to handle him. It is very important that a trainer knows his boxer. They?ve been very successful, they?ve already won a WBO interim title.?
Casimero was a former WBO interim lt.flyweight champion but lost in his first defense to Ramon Garcia Hirales of Mexico. Casimero and Canoy had a chance to spar with Garcia Hirales when the Mexican trained at the Omega gym to prepare for his fight against Donnie Nietes in Bacolod City last October. It was during that time that Casimero?s dedication and hunger resurfaced and eventually found fruition in Argentina.
Photo above ? Gello-ani, Casimero and Tepora on arrival at the Mactan Airport
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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