INQUIRER Sports

JOHNRIEL Casimero of the Omega Boxing Gym of Cebu and the current WBO Asia-Pacific Jr. flyweight champion, will face Cesar Canchila of Colombia for the interim WBO light flyweight world title in Managua, Nicaragua on December 12.

Promoter Sammy Gell-ani said that international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz has confirmed the match-up.

Casimero signed a promotional contract with Sampson Boxing LLC of Florida, USA and SGG Promotions of the Philippines as co-promoter early this month. Casimero, together with WBO superflyweight champion Marvin Sonsona are the two Filipinos under contract with Lewkowicz.

Casimiro won the WBO Asia-Pacific title in Talisay City on October 2008 with a fifth round TKO win over Liempetch Sor Veerapol of Thailand. In his first defense last May 2009 at the Cebu Coliseum, he won by 8th round knockout over Arden Diale. He remains undefeated in 13 fights with 8 knockouts.

His opponent, Canchila (28W-2 L, 22KO?s) is a former WBA interim world light flyweight titlist. He won the title by unanimous decision against Giovanni Segura of Mexico in 2008 but lost to Segura in a rematch by 4th round TKO in March of this year. Last July, he won his last fight by 5th round TKO against Carlos Luis Campos.

Casimero has been training for weeks at the IPI Gym in Mandaue City. The gym is currently bustling with activity as WBO superflyweight champ Marvin Sonsona, Ciso Morales and Federico Catubay have transferred training there under the supervision of Nonito Donaire Sr.