Newest RP boxing champ eyes gig with Calderon

Fresh from winning the WBO interim light-flyweight title via an 11th round TKO of Columbian Cesar Canchila, new champ Johnreil Casimero wants to sustain his trek to ring stardom by calling out the long-time holder of the 108-lb division. Arriving on Christmas eve from Managua, Nicaragua, the 19-year-old Casimero said unbeaten WBO light fly boss Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico ranks high on his wish list for his next outing. "Gusto kong kalaban si Calderon at kung pwede lang, dito sa Pilipinas para makita ng mga Pilipino kung gano ako kalakas," Casimero told mediamen at the NAIA Thursday. Canchila, a former WBA interim light-fly titlist, got first-hand taste of such power, dropping to the canvas in the third, sixth, ninth and twice in the 11th before the referee waived off the fight.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Casimero’s trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr. said the KO was expected, given the young fighter’s "power in both hands." "He caught him with solid blows but typical of Hispanics, Canchila was sturdy and always got up," Donaire said in an interview with PhilBoxing.Com. But Casimero might not be at the top of Calderon’s agenda as the 34-year-old Puerto Rican, who twice frustrated the bid of Rodel Mayol this year, has time and again expressed his desire for a unification bout with another Filipino, IBF champ Brian Viloria. Viloria is set to defend his IBF strap against Carlos Tamara of Columbia on Jan. 23 at the Cuneta Astrodome. - GMANews.TV