Casimero, Donaire Jr. all set for all-Filipino unification bout

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

For the first time in boxing history, two Filipinos will be grinding it out for a unification clash in the bantamweight division.

Johnriel Casimero and Nonito Donaire Jr., two of the biggest names in boxing, will be vying for the bantamweight spot with the WBC and WBO belts at stake.

Initially, it was Cuban legendary boxer and bantamweight staple Guillermo Rigondeaux who was set to face Casimero but things suddenly changed, Manny Pacquiao promotions president Sean Gibbons confirmed the latest news.

The winner of the all-Filipino slugfest will then face Rigondeaux and will have the chance to face WBA, IBF, and Ring magazine bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue.

Inoue recently destroyed another Filipino in Michael Dasmariñas after scoring a third-round knockout via body shot.

Both Filipino fighters came out from spectacular fights with Donaire dethroning WBC champion Nordine Ouubali via knockout and Casimero retaining his WBO belt against top rising star Duke Micah also via stoppage.

“The champ wants to become the first Filipino in history to unify all four belts. Done deal,” said MP promotions president Gibbons.