Push Admin

Boxing: As world champ John Riel Casimero moves up in weight, all-Pinoy title bout looms

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/sports/9/12/casimero-091216.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Johnriel Casimero is in line to take on countryman Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF junior-bantamweight championship. </div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA — Cebuano fighter John Riel Casimero has given up his IBF world flyweight belt to mix it up in the junior bantamweight class.&quot;He&#x27;s so strong and he keeps growing,&quot; Sampson Lewkowicz, Casimero&#x27;s promoter, said in a <a href="http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/18322387/john-riel-casimero-vacates-flyweight-belt-eyes-junior-bantamweight-titleholders">report</a> by Dan Rafael on ESPN.com. &quot;It is time for John Riel to move up and secure his place in Philippines boxing history. It is our hope to quickly face [Jerwin] Ancajas and Chocolatito next year. That is what we will work to make happen.&quot; &quot;Chocolatito&quot; is Nicaragua&#x27;s Roman Gonzalez, the current WBC super flyweight king.But a bout between Casimero, who has a record of 23 wins and three losses, and Cavite City-based Ancajas, the current IBF junior-bantamweight king, would be an intriguing one between the two rising Filipino fighters.Ancajas <a href="http://http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/03/16/panabos-ancajas-becomes-phs-newest-world-champion">captured</a> the 115-pound belt when he defeated McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico in Taguig City in September. Casimero <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/26/16/watch-casimero-kos-thai-fighter-in-round-4">clinched </a>the IBF flyweight title when he beat Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand in Beijing in May, then successfully <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/11/16/casimero-defends-ibf-flyweight-title">defended</a> the title against Charlie Edwards of the United Kingdom in London in September. &quot;To win my third title would be a great honor for me and put my name in with some of the best fighters my country has ever produced,&quot; said Casimero, also a former IBF world junior flyweight champion.&quot;I will be immediately looking to make an impact and fight the big fights that allow me the opportunity.&quot;(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com" target="_blank">Sports website.</a>)

Cebuano fighter John Riel Casimero has given up his IBF world flyweight belt to mix it up in the junior bantamweight class.

Cebuano fighter John Riel Casimero has given up his IBF world flyweight belt to mix it up in the junior bantamweight class.