CASIMERO TO DEFEND IBF TITLE AT SMART ARANETA COLISEUM
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Jun 2013
Plans are well underway for big-time boxing to return to the famed Smart Araneta Coliseum when ABC 5 teams up with the Araneta and well-known promoter Sammy Gello-ani to stage the third title defense of IBF light flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero on Sunday, July 21.
Negotiations have been going on for some time between the new head of ABC 5 Sports, Chot Reyes, promoter Gello-ani and the Araneta management in the absence of coliseum owner George ?Nene? Araneta who is abroad and is expected to return next week.
ABC 5 has had a fruitful relationship with Gello-ani and Casimero having telecast his championship victory against Luis Lazarte in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina on February 10, 2012 when Casimero won the title with a 10th round TKO after dropping the Argentine once in the sixth round, twice in the ninth and once in the tenth. Casimero himself was dropped once in round five.
The predominantly pro-Lazarte crowd of truckers rioted when the decision was announced, hurled chairs and other debris into the ring, hitting Casimero, Gello-ani and his corner-men in an ugly display of hooliganism.
Casimero successfully defended his title with a close twelve round split decision victory over Mexico?s Pedro Guevara in Sinaloa, Mexico on August 4, 2012 which was also telecast by ABC 5 before scoring a lopsided unanimous twelve round decision over highly-fancied Luis Alberto Rios in Panama City last March 16.
Gello-ani told the Manila Standard that Casimero?s opponent in his voluntary defense will be No. 12 ranked 23 year old Mauricio Fuentes of Colombia who has a record of 16 wins with 10 knockouts and 2 losses while Casimero has a record of 18-2 with 10 knockouts.
Fuentes is coming off a 5th round TKO of Gustavo Cortes last March 22.
Casimero is already in training at the Omega Gym in Cebu City.
Gello-ani told the Standard he is finalizing a blockbuster undercard that would feature the come-backing former world champion Marvin Sonsona and mandatory flyweight contender Froilan "The Sniper" Saludar among others.
Photo: Casimero (L) does the mitts with trainer Pingping Tepora at the Omega Gym in Cebu. Photo by Dong Secuya.
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