Casimero retains IBF light flyweight title with TKO victory over Salguero

John Riel Casimero retained his IBF light flyweight title with an 11th round technical knockout victory over Felipe Salguero of Mexico, Saturday at the Makati Coliseum.

After knocking his opponent down twice in the eighth and ninth rounds, Casimero floored Salguero again in the 11th with a flurry of punches. The referee did not bother to start the count, to save the brave Salguero from further punishment.

"Mahirap kasi mukhang over na ako sa weight," said Casimero who might be thinking of moving up to the flyweight division. "Salamat at pinalaban niyo ako dito sa Pilipinas," added Casimero, who won the title in Argentina.

Casimero was picking his spots in the early rounds. He threw just enough punches to keep Salguero off balance. The defending champion loaded up on his right straights versus the Mexican.

Things soured for Salguero in the fifth round as Casimero's left hooks and right straights started to land regularly. Salguero slipped twice in the round, which allowed him more time to recuperate.

The Mexican suffered a cut in the sixth round but he didn't let him bother him. Salguero started to rally in the seventh round, hurting Casimero with a short right. However, Casimero finally landed a clean left uppercut to knock Salguero down in the eighth round.

Casimero floored Salguero again in the ninth round, this time with a right uppercut. The Filipino landed two huge left hooks that shook Salguero's head, but he managed to stay on his feet, although it was just temporary, as it turned out.

On the undercard, Froilan Saludar kept his unblemished record with a unanimous decision victory over Thailand's Sorthep Sor Von Krugthep.

Saludar landed more and landed better, but he was unable to floor the tough Thai. After 10 rounds, the judges scored it 100-89, 98-92, 98-91 for Saludar, whose record now stands at 18 wins with 11 knockouts.

Michael Farenas also scored a victory as he made short work of Kosol Sor Vorapin, also of Thailand. Farenas floored Sor Vorapin with a combination early in the second round but the Thai was able to beat the count. Farenas ended the night with a powerful left uppercut that had the Thai on his back for a few minutes.

"Kailangan ko na rin kasi magpa-kundisyon. Matagal rin akong walang laban," said Farenas after the fight. "Kaya ko nang tapusin nung unang round pero nagpapawis muna ako ng konti para mas maganda ang kundisyon ko kasi lalaban alo ulit sa December." With the victory, Farenas raised his record to 36 wins against four losses and four draws with 28 of his wins coming via the short route.

Mark Anthony Geraldo successfully defended his WBO Asia Pacific Youth super flyweight title with a knockout victory over Ithanon Sithchamuang. Geraldo was tagged with a strong right in the  first round but he recovered quickly to score a flash knockdown. Geraldo finished the fight at 1:10 mark of the second round with a straight left. His record now stands at 29 wins with four losses.  - AMD, GMA News