CELESTINO CABALLERO RETURNS IN A WBC TITLE FIGHT AGAINST ROMANIAN VIOREL SIMION IN PANAMA
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 24 Jan 2013
PANAMA CITY, Panama - An exciting international boxing card on April 20 in Panama will mark the return of former 2-division world champion Celestino "Pelench?n" Caballero (left) of Panama in a 12-round WBC Silver Featherweight (126 lbs - 9 st) title fight against the undefeated WBC International featherweight champion Viorel Simion (16-0, 7KO's) of Lehliu Gar?, Romania.
The winner becomes mandatory challenger to the regular WBC featherweight crown now on the head of veteran slugger Daniel Ponce de Le?n (44-4, 35KO's) of Chihuahua, M?xico, who is due to defend his coveted golden/green belt from the dangerous fists of undefeated Puerto Rican rising star WBC #5 featherweight Jayson V?lez (25-0, 20KO's) on March 2 in New York.
The 5' 11" Celestino "Pelench?n" Cabellero (36-4, 23KO's), who already defeated Ponce de Le?n back in 2005, gets back into fighting mode after more than a year absence as result of conflicts with promoters and schedules, being his last outing a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Japanese challenger Satoshi Osono (23-2, 17KO's) in December 2011 in Yokohama, Japan.
"I'd fight Ponce de Le?n or Mikey Garc?a, if they are willing to take the risk," said Caballero during training here in Panama.
The 36-year-old Panamanian vacated his WBA Featherweight title last year and is the current #1 Featherweight fighter by the WBC. His April opponent, Viorel Simion, is WBC #3.
Currently under contract with the promotion company of recording artist Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Caballero is scheduled to fly back to Las Vegas to continue his preparation at the Floyd Mayweather Gym with his trainer Jeff Mayweather.
Nick Klappert.
The Caballero-Simion card at the Roberto Duran Arena in Panama on April 20 will feature thrilling international rising stars as jr. middleweight prospect Nick Klappert (15-1, 10KO's) of Brandenburg, Germany, who three weeks ago knocked out Tanzanian Said Yazidu in Luxembourg.
Moreover, in the line up stands out unbeaten knockout artist Zapir "Zap" Rasulov (25-0, 23KO's) of Buynaksk, Russia, in his second consecutive lightweight fight in Panama; this time the Russian will be battling for the vacant IBO Inter-Continental belt.
Rusalov.
The tough Russian's last skirmish was a brutal round 1 knock out triumph over Colombian Joel Cassiani last March at the Roberto Duran Arena in Panam?.
Zap Rasulov, 25, is handled by his long time German promoter Mario Pokowietz of Power F. Boxing (also the manager of unbeaten WBA middleweight world champion Gennady "GGG" Golovki), and trains with the Panamanian stable of boxers "Los Roqueros" under the guidance of the experience 50-year-old Panama trainer former fighter Francisco "Tolete" Arroyo.
.
Mohamadreza "Shazzan" Hamze.
In addition, the exciting Caballero-Simion card will showcase Iranian welterweight warrior Mohamadreza "Shazzan" Hamze, 24, in his fourth professional fight.
"Shazzan" Hamze, promoted by Promociones y Eventos del Istmo, will fight for the first time in Panama after his unanimous decision win over Thai kick boxer Suwichanon Boonpamual three weeks ago in Bangkok, Thailand.
This exciting international boxing show will take place at the famed Roberto Duran Arena and will be televised by Panama's TV Max Channel 9 in a production of Rogelio Espi?o, whose company Promociones y Eventos del Istmo, received last week the award to "Panama's Best Promotion Company of Year."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 11 Feb 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
Wed, 11 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026