By Carlos Costa

PANAMA CITY - Word in Panama boxing corridors is that IBF junior flyweight world champion Johnriel Casimero of Ormoc, Philippines will make his second title defense against mandatory challenger Luis "Pan Blanco" Ríos of Panama on Saturday March 16 in Panama, one of Latin America's hottest countries in professional boxing.

The Casimero-Ríos title fight will be a production of Sampson Boxing LLC, run by international agent Sampson Lewkowicz, whose $132,000 offer easily won the fight's IBF purse bidding 12 days ago at the IBF head office in Springfield, New Jersey.

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Both fighters, Casimero (17-2, 10KO's) and Ríos (18-1-1, 13KO's), were born in February 1990. The two Aquarius boxers are having their 23rd birthday next month.

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In addition, it is possible that the co-main event could feature Filipino John Mark "Iceman" Apolinario (17-2-2, 4KO's) clashing again with former 2-division champion Roberto "La Araña" Vásquez (32-5-1, 22KO's) of Panama for the vacant WBA interim bantamweight title.

In their prior skirmish, Apolinario, 23, and Vásquez, 29, drew after their 12-round combat at Club La Unión in Colón, Argentina.