by Ronnie Nathanielsz
IBF flyweight Johnreil Casimero returned home from a long flight from London yesterday evening and announced that he "wants to win all the flyweight belts available so it will be hard to carry.”
Casimero told us that he plans to have a couple of more fights as a flyweight before he goes after the newly crowned WBC super flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez who won a twelve round unanimous decision in a close fight against champion Carlos ‘Principe” Cuadras.
Casimero told BoxingScene.com/The Manila Standard that he watched the telecast of the Chocolatito-Cuadras title fight and said “looks like Gonzalez has weakened” even as he pointed out that Cuadras was “a good fighter.”
Casimero said “ it will be nice to fight him (Gonzalez) now. I can beat him easily.”
Recalling his 10th round TKO win over previously unbeaten 23 year old Briton Charlie Edwards, Casimero said he “trained so hard for the fight to make sure our dreams come true.”
He conceded that while he controlled the fight, Edwards was “a good boxer with good footwork and fought on the outside which made it difficult. However, he had no power.”
Johnreil said he “chased him for a long time and while them challenger avoided my powerful right, I caught him with a good left hook” which quickly set up the TKO.
Casimero commended the referee who., he said, was very fair. Johnreil said he was “happy that I won my first title defense especially in London before 18,000 people.”
Casimero won the IBF flyweight title with a rousing 4th round knockout of Thai champion Amnmat Ruenroeng who won the vacant title in a foul-infested clash where referee Larry Doggett was virtually useless in controlling the Thai fighter’s actions.
Well-known promoter Sammy Gello-ani who partners international matchmaker and promoter Sampson Lewkowicz indicated the current plan for “Casimero to have a couple more fights as a flyweight, make some money and then move up to super flyweight. ”
He said Casimero will take a two week break and then the members of the team will get together and decide on a title defense in November or December and choose an opponent.”
Veteran trainer Jhun Agrabio indicated success came because “we trained hard and Johnreil was relaxed. That was our plan. They (the Edwards camp) spoke of travel – wear and tear –but didn’t know he is a road warrior. “
He said the British fans “didn’t boo too much because they believe in Filipino fighters.”
Agrabio thanked this reporter “ for seeing the talent in Casimero. You have always been there for him.”