Casimero set to defend title abroad

INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) Johnriel Casimero's next title defense will once again be on foreign soil, solidifying his status as a ‘road warrior'.

“Yes, it will be a voluntary defense and still abroad. His mandatory will be after February 2017,” Casimero's manager and promoter Sammy Gello-ani told Sun.Star Cebu. “We are still on the planning stage and will announce it later on once everything is confirmed.”

The 26-year-old Casimero will most likely face a fighter in the Top 15 of the IBF flyweight division rankings in his next voluntary defense.

The first two slots in the rankings are vacant. Chinese star Zou Shiming currently sits at No. 3, followed by former world champions Francisco Rodriguez and Donnie Nietes at fourth and fifth respectively.

Casimero successfully defended his crown against No. 14 rated Edwards, whom he knocked out in 10 rounds, last Sept. 10 in a huge event that was headlined by Gennady Golovkin and Kell Brook at the O2 Arena in London.

“Casimero became popular worldwide due to involvement in the GGG (Golovkin) event which was a pay per view worldwide,” said Gello-ani.

With Casimero's exposure in the international boxing scene, Gello-ani believes that they don't need to promote fights for him here in the Philippines because he is better off fighting internationally, where the big money fights are.

“We are not after for credits from big networks here in the Philippines. We don't care if big networks are not offering us TV fights here. Anyway we can get it from overseas who pays our fighter well,” said Gello-ani.

Casimero is currently having a welldeserved vacation but will be back in the grind next month in preparation for another fight on the road.