Casimero to fight at home in October, says promoter
Filipino up-and-coming fighter Johnriel Casimero wil be back in action anytime soon. A week after losing his first bout, the 20-year-old pride of Mandaue City, will be fighting in the Philippines in October against an opponent yet to be determined. This was revealed by international promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, who promotes Casimero alongside domestic promoter Sammy Gello-ani. "After two or three fights, he can come back and try to be a world champion again. He needs to fight good opposition. At this stage of his career, there will be no easy fights," said Lewkowicz. Casimero lost a split decision to 27-year-old Mexican Ramon Hirales in Los Mochis, Mexico, last Friday night (Saturday in Manila). Casimero dropped to 14-1 (8 KO) and gave up his interim WBO light flyweight title in the process. Hilario raised his ledger to 13-1-1 (8 KO) with the win. "It was a good fight and it demonstrated that Casimero has a chance to be a champion once again," said Lewkowicz, who initially brought Manny Pacquiao to the attention of American promoters the past decade. "He has to grow up, though. He's too young. He needs to take the opportunities the right way." The loss has scrapped a proposed match up between Casimero and pound-for- pound candidate and current junior flyweight title holder Ivan Calderon. Casimero had been groomed for a showdown with the 34-0-1 (6 KO) Puerto Rican superstar ever since knocking out former champion Cesar Canchilla in his previous bout. Songalia, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com . An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ryansongalia . - GMANews.TV