Two of the world’s bantamweight champions will meet in the ring. And both are Filipino.
World Boxing Council champion Nonito Donaire takes on his World Boxing Organization counterpart John Riel Casimero this August in Carson, California.
Casimero (30-4, 21 KO) was originally scheduled to face Guillermo Rigondeaux. The Cuban, though, stepped aside for the unification bout to happen.
“My team does magic. Thank you to Richard Shaefer, Rachel Donaire, PBC, TGB, and Showtime. I started camp last week,” said the 38-year-old Donaire (41-6, 27 KO).
“Belt number two is coming soon.”
The two are also in Las Vegas, serving as audiences for the WBA/IBF/The Ring championship bout between Naoya Inoue and Michael Dasmarinas.
For Casimero, he is hoping that fans support their decision to face off.
“Suportahan niyo na lang ang desisyon namin.
“Kasi pareho lang naman ang decision naming gustong maging undisputed,” said the 31-year-old native of Ormoc.
The winner of the bout will face Inoue or Dasmarinas later this year, according to Casimero.
“Kung sinong manalo sa amin, siya ang lalaban kay Inoue,” said Casimero.
“Turuan nga natin ng leksyon ang Donaire na ‘yan. Final na. Laban na namin, tuloy na August 14.”