By Nick Giongco
John Riel Casimero
John Riel Casimero of the Philippines battles defending champion Zolani Tete of South Africa for the World Boxing Organization bantamweight title Saturday night (early Sunday morning in the Philippines) in Birmingham, England.
During the official weighin, Casimero came in at 117.25 lbs while Tete, who is making the fourth defense of the WBO 118-lb title crown for the fourth time, tipped in at 116.25.
If victorious, Casimero, who earned the shot owing to his status as interim champion due yo Tete’s inactivity because of a shoulder injury, will join Manny Pacquiao, Jerwin Ancajas and Pedro Taduran as the Philippines’ current world champions.
Last August in Manila, Casimero knocked out Cesar Ramirez of Mexico to formally secure his shot at Tete.
Casimero, who will be making his second appearance on British soil, trained for almost two months in Las Vegas to get ready for Tete.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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