Casimero to defend IBF title in Panama

CEBU, Philippines -  It's final. IBF light flyweight champion Johnriel "Quadro Alas" Casimero (17-2, 10KOs) will defend his IBF light flyweight title on March 16 in Panama, the home country of his mandatory challenger Luis "Pan Blanco" Rios (18-1-1, 13KOs).

"Yes, I am confirming the news that Casimero will defend his title in Panama on March 16. With sizeable promotional budget, Philippine TV has not shown yet their support hence the only way is to bring the fight to the country who can support the mandatory defense and Panama is more than willing  to host it," said SGG Sports Promotions big boss Sammy Gello-ani, the handler of Casimero.

The revered Cebuano promoter bared that they have also been given the opportunity for another world championship, with John Mark Apolinario taking on Roberto Vasquez in a grudge rematch of sort for the interim WBA bantamweight crown.

"With two titles at stake, it is very hard to get a network here to support us hence we opted to go to Panama," he said.

Gello-ani expressed confidence though on Casimero's ability to defend his throne even in a hostile territory.

"Casimero has proven he can fight anywhere and hopefully Apolinario can follow as what he had shown against Vasquez in their match last December in Entre de Rios, Colon, Argentina," said Gello-ani.

The 22-year-old Casimero snatched the IBF 108-pound belt with a masterful 10th round TKO of Argentine Luis Alberto Lazerte in a riot-marred bout on February 13, 2012 at the Club Once Unidos in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Even before referee Eddie Claudio of New York could formally declare the winner, a swarm of angry Argentine fans flocked to the ring and attacked Casimero and his team.

The IBF officials and some cooler heads who tried to prevent the situation from getting worse were not spared by the wrath of irate fans.  Chairs, bottles, punches and other hard objects were flying all over the arena in boxing's most disgraceful episode in recent memory.

The Ormoc City-native Casimero kept his belt for the first time after eking out a split decision win over Pedro Guevara last August in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Ríos, for his part, earned the right to challenge Casimero by pulling off an 11th round stoppage of Mexican Felipe Salguero in an IBF eliminator last October at the Roberto Duran Arena in Panama. (FREEMAN)