By Jake Donovan
Amnat Ruenroeng and John Riel Casimero are set for their anticipated flyweight title clash Saturday afternoon in Bangkok, Thailand. The bout will air live on Thailand’s Mono 29, as well as simulcast live on Philippines Sports 5’s website, airing on the network Sunday afternoon via tape delay.
Ruenroeng (15-0, 5KOs) will attempt the fourth defense of the title he claimed last January. His 12-round win over Rocky Fuentes to win the vacant belt kicked off what was a Fighter of the Year-worthy ring campaign (or at least good for High Honorable Mention honors) in 2014. Two subsequent title defenses saw the Thai guy claim decision wins over Kazuto Ioka and McWilliams Arroyo to round out his year.
The win over Ioka last May served as Ruenroeng’s breakout performance, schooling the previously unbeaten two-division titlist on the road in Osaka, Japan. The split decision verdict was homage to Ioka’s hometown popularity, as the outcome should have never been in doubt.
Slightly more controversial was Ruenroeng’s win over Arroyo in a matchup of 2008 Olympic boxers last September. Ruenroeng was forced to climb off the deck to claim a debatable split decision over Arroyo, one-half of a talented twin brother duo fighting out of Puerto Rico. The fight landed in Thailand, thanks to a massive purse bid offering (for a flyweight fight, anyway) from Jimmy Boxing Promotions, who also promotes Saturday’s contest in Bankgkok.
Ruenroeng kicked off his 2015 campaign in style, traveling to Macao to claim a convincing points win over local hero and three-time Olympic medalist Zou Shiming in March.
Casimero (21-2, 13KOs) is no stranger to conceding hometown advantage, with most of his best career moments taking place outside of his native Philippines.
The 25-year old slugger claimed two separate interim titles on the road, beginning with an 11th round knockout of Cesar Canchilla for his first championship taste in Dec. 11. The moment was short-lived after suffering both career losses in back-to-back fights. Casimero dropped a split decision to Ramon Garcia in their July ’10 clash in Mexico before an ill-advised first attempt at a flyweight belt resulted in the lone stoppage loss of his career when Moruti Mthalane halted him in the 5th round of their March ’11 title fight in South Africa.
Seven straight wins have followed, only two of which have taken place at home. The start of his win streak nearly cost him his life, as Casimero scored a 10th round stoppage of Luis Lazarte in one of the dirtiest title fights in recent memory. Both fighters traded knockdowns and fouls before Lazarte was beaten into submission in crowning Casimero as a junior flyweight titlist.
The verdict didn’t sit well with the crowd in Buenos Aires, nor with Lazarte’s corner or supporters, particularly one punk whose actions initiated a violent riot. Casimero and his team—including the well-traveled Sean Gibbons —were forced to ride out the chaos, which included a hailstorm of chairs being heaved into the ring and throughout the venue before order was eventually restored.
The rest of Casimero’s current win streak has come in far more peaceful settings. Included among his seven wins are a close but clear win on the road in Mexico over Pedro Guevara, who has since become a junior flyweight champ, facing Ganigan Lopez next weekend, also in Mexico.
Casimero saw his title reign end at the scales, coming in more than a full division over the junior flyweight limit in his 1st round knockout of Mauricio Fuentes last May in Cebu, Philippines. Efforts to remain active while awaiting a flyweight title shot led to his returning to Mexico, stopping journeyman Armando Santos in two rounds last December.
BOXINGSCENE STAFF PREDICTIONS:
AMNAT RUENROENG vs. JOHN RIEL CASIMERO
Ryan Burton (Casimero): Going with the upset, Casimero once again finds a way to win big on the road.
Jake Donovan (Ruenroeng UD):
Casimero will have his say throughout the night, but never to the point of a sustained attack. Ruenroeng takes it, in a fight that's closer in action than what the final scorecards will suggest.
Takahiro Onaga (Ruenroeng UD):
I think Amnat win an ugly decision doing what he does so well and spoiling the fight, landing at range, using reach and neutralising Casimero's explosiveness. Very much looking forward to fight.
Cliff Rold (Ruenroeng Dec):
Casimero has youth and some skill on his side and could always score a knockout. If he doesn't, Ruenroeng's measured intelligent boxing should be enough for a decision that might be seen as controversial outside Thailand.
Victor Salazar (Ruenroeng Dec):
Ruenroeng should have received more votes for fighter of the year last year and rightfully so is taking on another credible foe who he should out box and take another decision. Does a bout with the Roman (Gonzalez) Empire loom?
Alexey Sukachev (Ruenroeng MD):
Casimero is masterful and packs some punch. He is no way worse than Ruenroeng but the Thai fighter is very smart to take it at home. His arena will cooperate for another victory after twelve chess-match round with rare outbursts from Casimero and effective negation by Ruenroeng.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox