FORMER International Boxing Federation light flyweight champion John Riel Casimero is out for revenge in his rematch with champion Amnat Ruenroeng to whom he lost a hugely controversial decision in a foul-invested title fight, where referee Larry Doggett warned the Thai five times for holding and wrestling the Filipino to the canvas, but failed to penalize the champion.
Casimero arrived in Manila on Sunday and will begin training at the newly refurbished gym of Dr. Rajan Yraola, along Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City under veteran trainer Jhun Agrabio on Monday.
The rematch will take place in Beijing, China on May 25.
Promoter Sammy Gello-ani told The Standard that Casimero underwent his physical conditioning program in Baliangao, Misamis Occidental and sparred with WBO Oriental Jr. Flyweight Champion Jesse Espinas and Philippine Boxing Federation Featherweight Champion Jessie Cris Rosales.
“After spending several weeks in the refreshing atmosphere of the Baliangao training camp free from distractions, Casimero is now ready for serious and rigorous training in Manila,” said Gello-ani.
Casimero lost in his first fight with Ruenroeng in Thailand. And after the dirty, foul-filled fight, the promoters of Casimero, Sampson Boxing and Gello-ani, brought the case to the IBF and asked the governing body to have the Filipino retain his no. 1 position and keep him as the mandatory challenger to Ruenroeng.