Casimero shoots for third world title in different weight division

CEBU, Philippines —  John Riel “Cuadro Alas” Casimero hopes to revitalize his status as one of the Philippine boxing greats as he slugs it out with Mexican knockout artist Ricardo Espinoza Franco for the WBO interim bantamweight championship today at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

“I will show to everyone what I’m made of,” said the 30-year-old Casimero. “But one thing for sure, I ‘m going to put up a great fight to make my fans happy.”

“If there’s a chance, I wouldn’t hesitate even just a single second to knock him out,” added the fighting pride of Ormoc City.

If victorious, the 30-year-old Casimero will align himself with the legendary Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes as only Filipino fighters in history to win at least three world titles in different weight classes.

Casimero, who sports a 26-4 record spiked with 17KOs, once held court in the IBF light flyweight and IBF flyweight divisions.

But it wouldn’t be an easy task for Casimero as he is going up against a Mexican toughie who has a very high knockout percentage.

The 21-year-old Franco parades a 23-2 slate with 20 victories via stoppage. His last 10 opponents did not go the full distance, a testament to his sledgehammer fists.

Franco, however, has not fought yet a battle-scarred boxer of Casimero’s caliber.

“As a veteran fighter, Casimero has an edge,” said the Los Angeles-based former Cebuano world champion Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol, Casimero’s chief cornerman. “If he will just utilize his experience and vast ring maturity wisely, his chances of taking down Franco are very bright.”