Casimero to defend IBF title vs Mexican

MANILA, Philippines - Johnreil Casimero, one of three reigning Filipino world champions, defends his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight title against Mexican puncher Felipe Salguero in a free-to-the-public show this Saturday night at the Makati Coliseum.

Presented by Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, the scheduled 12-rounder will also feature several high-caliber matchups, including world-rated Michael Farenas against Thailand’s Kusol Sor Vorapin and fellow world-ranked Froilan Saludar versus Tawanrong Eusamphan, also of Thailand.

GMA7 is doing the telecast at 10 p.m.

Casimero is best remembered by fight fans as the rangy puncher who was almost mauled by angry Argentine fans after he had beaten local bet Luis Alberto Lazarte in February 2012 in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Casimero (18-2-0 with 10 KOs) will be making his third defense against Salguero (18-4-1 with 13 KOs), vowed to beat the 23-year-old Filipino.

The night will also mark the professional debut of Pacquiao’s nephew, Joneil Dapidran, who made waves during an amateur tournament staged by the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines late last year in General Santos City.

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, who is in town to preside over Pacquiao’s media day in General Santos City today, will be watching the Casimero-Salguero showdown, according to Joe Ramos, who is one of Pacquiao’s staffers.

Ramos is joining hands with Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz in putting up the Casimero-Salguero encounter that is being backed by Ace Hotel and Suites and Ace Water Spa and LBC.

Pacquiao, who is in General Santos City and training hard for his comeback fight on Nov. 24 against Brandon Rios in Macau, wants Filipino fans to root for Casimero.

“Casimero is very talented and let us help him defend his crown on home soil against a very dangerous challenger by cheering everytime he throws a punch,” said Pacquiao.

The official weigh-in will be held tomorrow afternoon at the Ace Hotel and Suites in Mandaluyong.