CASIMERO LEAVES FOR MEXICO JULY 30
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Jul 2012
CEBU CITY - Johnriel Casimero learned that he was the regular IBF world jr.flyweight champion without any fanfare.
?I just read about it in the news four days ago.? He said.
Casimero?s name made the mainstream news for the controversial February fight in Mar del Plata, Argentina, in which he stopped local boy Luis "El Mosquito" Lazarte in round 10 for the interim IBF jr.flyweight title, only to be mobbed by an angry crowd who chased him and his team while throwing chairs and bottles into the ring.
He was given a parade when he arrived here in Cebu a few days later but was officially recognized as the regular champion only last July 19.
Casimero (16W-2L, 10KO's) spent Wednesday afternoon sharpening his punches in his home base, the Omega Boxing Gym of Mabolo. Together with his trainer Cristopher ?Pingping? Tepora, the 22 year old Casimero hit the punch mitts and showcased his power when he formed a huge indentation on the punching bag after just throwing a few punches.
Team Casimero will leave Cebu on Monday July 30 for his scheduled fight against undefeated challenger Pedro ?Jibran? Guevara (18W-0L-1D, 13KO's) of Mexico on August 4 (morning of Aug. 5 in the Philippines).
?I am in excellent condition,? Casimero spoke to philboxing after his training session. ?I have been training since May.The frequent postponements did not affect me. I kept my weight down because I controlled my diet.? This will be Casimero?s first title defense.
Trainer Tepora has seen a fight film of Guevara online, a twelve round draw against countryman Mario Rodriguez. This is the same Rodriguez who lost to Filipino world champion Donnie Nietes by unanimous decision in a WBO minimumweight title fight two years ago.
?I have studied Guevara?s fight against Rodriguez,? Tepora said, ?I noticed he moves a lot but his style is very similar to Erik Morales.?
Guevara is a prot?g? of the legendary Mexican boxer known for his epic trilogy against Manny Pacquiao. Guevara - who is an NABF titlist as well as WBC Silver Jr. Flyweight champ- has frequently appeared in fights promoted by Morales? boxing promotion business Box Latino.
?We will be doing light sparring and workouts at this point.? Tepora said, ?He will need to lose the weight gradually.?
Casimero has a two win-two loss recod on the road. In his last visit to Mexico two years ago, he lost his interim WBO lt.flyweight crown to Ramon Garcia Hirales by split decision.
?It was very hot that day,? Casimero recalled, ?It?s hot here in Cebu, but there, even the air I was breathing felt hot. I ran out of gas in the later rounds.?
?Now, I am better prepared.? Casimero said, ?I will try my best to remain world champion.?
Since May, Casimero has sparred with stablemates Virgilio Silvano and Jason Canoy, Philippine superflyweight champ Marco Demecillo of the RWS Gym, as well as the up and coming flyweights at the ALA Gym.
Casimero vs Guevara will take place at the Centro de Convenciones in Mazatl?n, Sinaloa, M?xico.
Photo: IBF Champion Johnreil Casimero (R) works out with his trainer Pingping Tepura at the Omega Gym in Cebu City Wednesday.
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