NOW that he’s officially fighting as a flyweight, former world champion John Riel Casimero wants no less than a piece of the best the division can offer.
The 24-year-old native of Ormoc City expressed his desire to vie for yet another championship belt and has no less than unified champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico on his radar.
Casimero made known his intention after fighting for the last time as a light-flyweight Saturday night when he made short work of badly-outclassed opponent Mauricio Fuentes of Colombia during their International Boxing Federation (IBF) title fight at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
Stripped of his title a day earlier when he failed to make the 108-lb. weight limit, Casimero was quick to show who was the better fighter between the two as he knocked Fuentes down three times inside the first round, the last one putting away the Colombian for good at the 2:59 mark.
Shortly after, Casimero called out Estrada, the reigning flyweight champion of both the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA).
“Gusto kong makalaban si Juan Estrada para magka-alaman na,” said the confident Casimero, standin out inside the ring with his blond-dyed hair.
Estrada is no stranger to local fight fans. After all, three of his victims were Filipinos.
The lanky champion from Sonora, Mexico unified the WBO and WBA flyweight belts after scoring a stunning split decision over Brian Villoria in their 12-round showdown in Macau last year.
He had since successfully defended the crowns against Milan Melindo (unanimous) and just last month, opposite Richie Mepranum following a 10-round stoppage.
Sammy Gello-Ani, Casimero’s longtime promoter, said as a former world champion, he expects the Filipino to be rated within the Top 10 of the four major boxing bodies at flyweight and hopes to strike a deal with the camp of Estrada for a possible title defense.
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