By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The team of IBF flyweight challenger John Reil Casimero, the former light flyweight champion never hid the fact that they were all out for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the recent presidential elections.
The entrance to Dr. Rajan Yraola’s Gym in Quezon City, their cars and their wrist-bands carried the Duterte name.
Drawing inspiration from the overwhelming lead of Duterte in the vote count for president, veteran trainer Jhun Agrabio confidently predicted after a rigorous training session on Saturday that Casimero Casimero “has power in both hands and will win by a landslide just like incoming president Rody Duterte.”
The only problem the challenger has to deal with in his rematch against champion Amnat Ruenroeng who won their first encounter in Thailand in a foul-infested bout was his being some eight pounds over the limit and an eleven month layoff both of which could affect his title bid.
However, Agrabio and Dr. Yraola told BoxingScene.com/The Standard that they believe Casimero will have “no problem” making the weight when he leaves for Beijing, China on May 23 on the eve of the official weigh-in.
Casimero who said he was in “great condition” added that was confident that since the fight is in Beijing, China there won’t be a hometown decision or cheating similar to what happened in our first fight in Thailand.”
