AFTER the postponement of his battle in opposition to Australia’s Luke Boyd, Fillipus ‘Vitality’ Nghitumbwa will now tackle an excellent more durable opponent within the Philippines’ former three-time world champion John Riel Casemiro.
Nghitumbwa’s coach and promoter Nestor Tobias on Tuesday introduced the information, saying that they’re excited to safe such a high-profile battle which is able to happen within the Philippines on 13 Could.
“Vitality was clearly very upset that his battle in opposition to Boyd couldn’t go forward after Boyd received injured, however we assured him that we are going to get an excellent higher battle and it doesn’t get any higher than such a extremely acclaimed three-division world champion like Casimero, We have now opted to face the perfect in order that we are able to present the world what Vitality is made from, and we want him all the perfect for this mega battle,” he mentioned.
The 34-year-old Casimero, who has knowledgeable document of 32 wins and 4 defeats, has held world titles in three divisions – the IBF junior flyweight world title from 2012 to 2013; the IBF flyweight world title in 2016; and the WBO bantamweight world title from 2019 to 2022.
Casemiro’s final defeat got here greater than 5 years in the past in September 2017, however since then he has gone on an unbeaten streak of eight fights throughout which he additionally annexed the WBO world bantamweight title. He defended that title thrice, however is now stepping up a weight to problem Nghitumbwa for his WBO international tremendous bantamweight title.
Nghitumbwa is much less skilled, however he’s nonetheless unbeaten after 13 fights, whereas he has age on his facet, being seven years youthful than Casemiro. He gained the WBO international tremendous bantamweight title in 2021 when he beat Harmless Mantengu of South Africa on a sixth spherical knockout, and has defended it twice since then.
He mentioned he was excited concerning the prospect of dealing with Casemiro and optimistic about his probabilities.
“I’m extraordinarily excited to battle a three-division former world champion within the Philippines. I respect his document and pedigree, however I’ll include my very own. I wish to face the perfect to change into the perfect and that is my alternative to make a reputation for myself and my nation,” he mentioned.
The battle is scheduled to happen at Okada Manila Lodge and On line casino within the Philippines capital, Manila.
Casemiro is presently ranked fifth on the planet by the WBO and eighth by the WBC, whereas Nghitumbwa is ranked tenth by the WBO.
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