ANOTHER TRIUMPHANT HOMECOMING FOR CASIMERO
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 21 Mar 2013
MANDAUE CITY,CEBU - The gambit played by the boxer known as ?Cuadro Alas? has paid off once again. For the third straight time, Johnriel Casimero made the long trip to Latin America and returned victorious.
The IBF junior flyweight champion is back in the country after a successful title defense in Panama last weekend against Luis Alberto Rios. Casimero was greeted by his stable mates and trainers from the Omega Boxing Gym, the staff of International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IPI) and members of the media during a press conference held Thursday at the Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu.
Casimero and Trainer Christopher ?PingPing? Tepora talked about what happened during the Rios fight.
?Our plan was to be aggressive and try get inside,? Tepora said, ?But after the first two rounds, I noticed Johnriel?s jab was working but he kept missing with his power punches. So I told him to stick with his jab.?
?I had trouble with his long reach?? Casimero added, ?I noticed that if I force my way inside, I would get tagged by his counter hooks and uppercuts. I was able to score by jabbing and moving.?
?Casimero?s experience and skill made him retain the title,? Gello-ani said, ?He did not force the issue and executed their game plan very well. This is how a champion defends his title.He used his head and adjusted. If he stood toe and toe, he would not have been able to retain his title.?
Casimero and Promoter Sammy Gello-ani also bared their intentions to defend the IBF crown here in the Philippines.
?I want to defend my belt here, even if I earn more fighting abroad,? Casimero said, ?Mas kundisyun ko mu-away ug na-a diri sa ato-a.?
Gello-ani said that Casimero has nine months before he is obligated to face another mandatory challenger. He can fight an opponent of his choice within the top fifteen of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) rankings in his next defense, which Gello-ani plans to stage in June or July.
?We hope to stage a fight here in the Philippines in June or July,? Gello-ani said, ?His mandatory defense is due in December. We hope to find enough sponsors and a television partner so Johnriel can defend here in the Philippines.?
Casimero?s first title defense was held in Mexico last August and he won a split decision against Pedro Guevara. He won the title by TKO in the 10th round against Luis Alberto Lazarte in Argentina in a fight marred by the infamous ring riot last February 2012.
Casimero also looks forward to a long reign. ?I feel I can take on any challenger, I don?t see any threat out there.?
The 23 year old Casimero (18W-2L, 10 KO?s) trained for three months for fight. He attributed his success to sacrifice, hard training and determination. He thanked his trainers, promoter Sammy Gello-ani and the staff of IPI and the Omega Gym for their continuing support.
Top photo- Left to right - Trainer Christopher Tepora, Promoter Sammy Gello-ani, John Riel Casimero, Jun Pe Castillo, James Osorio and Angel dela Merced of International Pharmaceuticals Inc., (IPI)/Omega Boxing Gym
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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