Casimero comfortable at flyweight: ‘I want title to last with me’

IBF flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero graces Tuesday’s PSA Forum.

Fresh from his successful title defense in London, IBF world flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero is now chasing the shadow of WBC world flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.

But the camp is taking a patient approach with promoter Sammy Gelo-Ani saying, “It will come later.”

For now, Gelo-Ani said their camp is focused on looking for the next opponent for the 26-year-old in his quest to lord the 112-pound division where he’s comfortable competing.

READ: Casimero wants ‘Chocolatito’ next

“Up to this day, we’re working on what’s next. Tinitingnan pa namin how far he can go sa flyweight. So far, kumportable pa sya sa weight class and I think we can still go on,” he said on Tuesday at the weekly PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

Casimero (23-3) is coming off a 10th round technical knockout victory over Briton Charlie Edwards last September 10 at O2 Arena.

He is bound to defend the title twice for the next eight months. The first against an opponent among the top 15 contenders in the division and the second a mandatory title defense against the number one-contender.

READ: Will Johnriel Casimero get to meet his idol?

The top two contenders in the division are currently vacant, with third-ranked Zou Shiming of China and fourth-ranked Francisco Rodriguez of Mexico eyed to take those spots.

Gelo-Ani said that this early, the Casimero camp are mulling offers from England and Japan.

READ: Casimero KOs Thai foe for IBF world flyweight title

But for Casimero, all he wants is to keep the title as long as he can.

“Blessing na magandang laban yung ipinakita ko sa London,” he said. “Gusto ko magtagal pa yung belt sa akin. Basta mag-tiyaga lang lang ako at disiplina sa sarili.”