Love the GAME. Search for 3rd belt
IBF flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero to give up title, eyes IBF or WBC super flyweight belts
JOHNRIEL Casimero is moving up in weight in search of his third division crown.
“To win my third title would be a great honor for me and put my name with some of the best fighters my country has ever produced,” said Casimero in a statement. “I will be immediately looking to make an impact and fight the big fights that allow me the opportunity.”
Casimero is relinquishing his International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight belt for a chance to challenge either IBF super flyweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas or World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight champion and current pound-for-pound king Roman Gonzalez.
“He’s so strong and he keeps growing,” said Casimero’s international promoter Sampson Lewkowicz. “It is time for John Riel to move up and secure his place in Philippine boxing history. It is our hope to quickly face Ancajas and Chocolatito next year. That is what we will work to make happen.”
Casimero won his IBF flyweight belt after a fourth-round knockout of Amnat Ruenroeng in a rematch in China early this year. He defended his belt with a rousing 10th round stoppage of Charlie Edwards in London.
Casimero is also a world champion in the light flyweight division. He won the interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight crown in 2009 following an 11th round technical knockout of Cesar Canchilla in Nicaragua.
He lost his belt in his first title defense but won the interim IBF light flyweight belt with a 10th- round stoppage of Luiz Alberto Lazarte in Argentina in 2012. He was elevated as the regular IBF champion and defended his strap three times before losing it to the scales in his fight with Mauricio Fuentes in Cebu City in 2014.