By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Well-known promoter and boxing manager Sammy Gello-ani tells Filipino fight fans not to be concerned about IBF flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero’s title defense against British challenger Paul Edwards at the O2 Arena in London on September 10.
Gello-ani told The Standard he was aware of reports that Casimero was taking things easy because the challenger has had only eight fights but said that while Casimero “is so confident and I don’t like it.” He is training very hard, going 20 rounds at times.
Gello-ani who together with his partner Samson Lewkowicz helped Casimero get a rematch after losing a hugely controversial decision to Thai champion Amnat Ruenroeng in which Casimero demolished the Thai champion in four rounds.
The promoter-manager reiterated “there’s nothing to worry about. We will bring the belt back to the Philippines.”
He said he’d want Casimero “ him to relax next week before we leave for London on September 4” although Sammy indicated veteran trainer Jhun Agrabio may schedule one last sparring session some time on Tuesday.
Overall Gello-ani told us “w e are doing okay. Just waiting for our visa which we hope to get in a day or two after the holiday on Monday.
Meantime, the 23 year old challenger Charlie Edwards has expressed confidence that Britain “will have another world champion , mark my word.”
Reports from the gym where Edwards has been training relentlessly indicated the young British fighter was “ripped and ready” for his title shot at Casimero.
