FORMER light flyweight champion and current International Boxing Federation flyweight challenger John Reil Casimero looked sharp in training in the hot and humid gym of Dr. Rajan Yraola, along Mindanao avenue in Quezon City, as he prepared for his rematch with Thai champion Amnat Ruenroeng in Beijing on May 25 as a highlight of the IBF Convention.
Casimero ripped into the punch-mitts during eight rounds with trainer Jhun Agrabio as Dr. Yraola watched intently.
The Filipino boxer went through the usual routine as he needed to reduce weight since he is some eight pounds over the 112-pound limit.
However, Agrabio told The Standard Casimero is “ready to fight even today” after some eight weeks of solid training, capped by 14 rounds of sparring on Thursday.
“Casimero wants to win and has the power to win by a knockout, but he must use his head,” said Agrabio, expecting a clean fight, unlike his ward’s foul-infested first encounter, which was roundly criticized by fight fans and the media.
But the trainer indicated they won’t go looking for a knockout, but will grab the opportunity if it comes.
“Casimero must use his head. He wants this to be a clean fight,” said Agrabio, who believes that the coming fight won’t be peppered by dirty tactics that marred the first title fight against Amnat in Bangkok, because all the IBF top executives will be watching, along with top boxing officials from around the world.
The veteran trainer, who handled Casimero when he captured the world light flyweight crown, said Casimero “has power in both hands and will win by a landslide just like incoming president Rody Duterte.”
“I’m in great condition because I trained here in the Philippines and 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,” said Casimero.
Team Casimero will leave for Beijing on May 23.
Casimero went 14 rounds with three different sparring partners at the Gerry Penalosa Gym on Thursday and said he felt good, although he was some 8 pounds overweight
“We are preparing to bring the title back home. My weight is 8 pounds over, but it won’t be a problem,” he said.