Things are definitely looking up for Johnriel Casimero.
The flashy 29-year-old pug from Ormoc, Leyte, gets a crack at another world title in a third weight division after the World Boxing Organization ordered a championship bout against reigning titleholder Zolani Tete of South Africa, a bonus for destroying Mexican Cesar Ramirez last Saturday.
Casimero overcame the effects of cutting down weight hours before his interim bantamweight championship bout with Ramirez to score a 10th round stoppage at San Andres Gym.
Now, MP promotions, Manny Pacquiao’s firm which is trying to advance the careers of the likes of Jerwin Ancajas, is set to talk with partner Premier Boxing Champions in a hope to stage the fight in the United States in November.
“Sen. Pacquiao is committed to creating the best scenario for his MP Promotions fighters to have a level playing field,” said MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons.
Casimero was ecstatic after referee Ramon Peña of Puerto Rico waved out Ramirez, who put up a decent fight against the Filipino who struggled making the weight.
Casimero needed to come back for a second weigh-in after checking in eight-tenths of a pound (lb) over the 118-lb cut.
With the impressive win, Casimero improved to 28-4 with 19 knockouts. Ramirez, 31, dropped to 18-4 with 11 KOs.
Casimero shot to fame in 2012 after winning the IBF flyweight title over Argentina bad boy Luis Alberto Lazarte. He survived the ensuing riot at Mar del Plata by hiding under the ring.