CASIMERO DETERMINED TO DEFEND IBF TITLE HE WON THE HARD WAY
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 03 Aug 2012
IBF light flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero (16-2, 10 KO?s) is determined to defend his title when he takes on undefeated Mexican Pedro Guevara (18-0-1, 13 KO?s) at the Convention Center in Guevara?s hometown of Mazatlan, Sinaloa. Mexico on Sunday, Manila Time.
In a final press conference Casimero said ?I got this title the hard way? (referring to his 10th round TKO over Luis Lazarte in Argentina which was marred by a post-fight riot) and I will not allow it to be taken away.?
Casimero added ?I know that I will be facing a young and strong opponent. I know he is coming to win but I will not let him. I am here to defend what is mine, a title I won outside of my country and I will defend it again outside of my country.?
Casimero was overjoyed to learn that Filipinos can watch the title fight which will be telecast at 1:00 p.m. on AKTV IBC 13 on Sunday.
Guevara admitted that the fight is a big step up in his career and he wants to prove to his countrymen that he has it in him to become a world champion and had prepared himself well for the challenge.
Well known promoter Sammy Gello-ani said no less than IBF president Darryl Peoples will be the fight supervisor with Ramon Corona of California as referee. The judges assigned are all Americans ? Levi Martinez of New Mexico, Matthew Podgorski of Chicago and Dr. Ruben Garcia of Texas.
Garcia came under fire for his scorecard in favor of Wilfredo Vazquez Jr who was dropped once and given a bad beating by Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire who won the WBO super bantamweight title in San Antonio, Texas in February this year.
Casimero said he was used to fighting abroad and that defending his title in Mexico is no problem. He said ?its just like fighting in my homeland with the same kind of opponent. It does not affect me in any way and I am focused on my plan on how to defend my title.?
Gello-ani disclosed that Casimero checked out the official scale and was merely one pound over the 108 limit. He said ?that?s no problem.?
Promoter Oswaldo Kuchle personally assured Team Casimero that what happened in Argentina ?will never happen in Mexico considering that Mexicans are a peace loving people and know the sport of boxing.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Sat, 31 Jan 2026KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 31 Jan 2026THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
Sat, 31 Jan 2026