WORLD Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight king Nonito Donaire Jr. steps in as World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero’s new opponent in a historic all-Filipino world title unification bout on Aug. 14, 2021 in a yet-to-be-determined venue in the US.
Casimero was originally slated to face Cuban star Guillermo Rigondeaux. However, Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), the promoter of the show, was convinced that a Casimero vs. Donaire Jr. unification bout was a more enticing fight.
MP Promotions’ Sean Gibbons, who handles Casimero, reportedly offered Donaire Jr.’s camp to fight Casimero in an all-Filipino world title. Donaire Jr. willingly accepted.
“My team does magic. Thank you to Richard Shaefer, Rachel Donaire, PBC, TGB and Showtime. Started camp last week. Belt #2 coming soon,” Donaire Jr. tweeted.
The 38-year-old Donaire Jr. just recently won the WBC bantamweight belt with a fourth-round knockout over Nordine Oubaali last May 29, 2021 in Carson, California.
Casimero, in the meantime, is coming off a third-round technical knockout over Duke Micah in a title defense last Sept. 26, 2020 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Donaire Jr. is 41-6 with 27 knockouts, while the 32-year-old Casimero is 30-4 with 21 knockouts.
This is the first time in boxing history that two Filipino boxers will fight each other in a world title unification bout.
The winner of the Casimero vs. Donaire Jr. fight will most likely face Rigondeaux next. (EKA)