Casimero defends title at enemy's lair today

CEBU, Philippines - Johnriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero faces a daunting task as he defends for the first time his IBF light flyweight title against the undefeated Mexican challenger Pedro Guevara today at the Convention Center in Guevara’s hometown of Mazatlan in Sinaloa, Mexico. The match will be aired via satellite on AKTV starting at 1pm.

The 23-year-old Casimero, who sports a 16-2 win-loss record spiked with 10KOs, will go up against Guevara, who is unscathed in 19 fights dotted with one draw and 13 wins via stoppage.

Casimero won the interim title with a 10th round TKO over Argentina’s Luis Lazarte in a bout marred by an ugly riot last February 10. He was elevated to full champion by IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker after champion Ulises Solis indicated he would be unable to defend his title due to surgery.

Sports analysts say the odds are against Casimero this time around, much to the delight of Guevara’s supporters.

Guevara is the reigning North American Boxing Federation champion, winning the title in a seventh round TKO over Jorle Estrada last October 22. Last December, he won the WBC Silver title, knocking out Karluis Diaz in the third round.

Casimero’s trainer Christopher Tepora has earlier said they will go for a one-sided demolition or a knockout against Guevara to avoid the risk of losing in a ‘hometown’ decision.

The Ormoc City-native Casimero, for his part, said he is mentally prepared to rumble at enemy's territory owing to his experience in his previous fight that greatly helped him adjust to a difficult situation.

“I got this title the hard way and I will not allow it to be taken away,” said Casimero in an interview with philboxing.com.

In his last trip to Mexico two years ago, Casimero lost his WBO light flyweight crown to Ramon Garcia Hirales by split decision. - THE FREEMAN