THREE-DIVISION world champion Johnriel Casimero attempts to move up the 122-pound division ladder and challenges World Boxing Organization (WBO) Global super bantamweight champion Fillipus Nghitumbwa on May 13, 2023 at the Okada Manila Hotel and Casino in Parañaque City.
Casimero just recently moved up in weight and had a successful super bantamweight debut with a second-round knockout of former world title challenger Ryo Akaho last Dec. 3 in Incheon, South Korea.
Casimero is now rated No. 5 by the WBO and is looking to move up the ranks with a win over No. 12 rated Nghitumbwa. He’s also ranked No. 8 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 14 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
Stephen Fulton Jr. currently holds the WBC and WBO belts, while Murodjon Akhmadaliev is the IBF champion.
The 34-year-old Casimero just recently signed a promotional contract with former world champion-turned-promoter Masayuki Ito’s Treasure Boxing Promotion. Casimero’s ultimate target is still Japanese star Naoya Inoue, who also moved up to the super bantamweight division. However, he has a few names that he’s targeting, the likes of fellow Pinoy star Nonito Donaire Jr., Jason Moloney, Luis Nery and Ra’eese Aleem.
Casimero is 32-4 with 22 knockouts, while Nghitumbwa is 12-1 with 11 knockouts.