Espinoza – Casimero to fight for interim Bantamweight title

Ricardo Espinoza will fight John riel Casimero for the vacant WBO Interim bantamweight title, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The fight will take place on the Premier Boxing Champions card headlined by the Danny Garcia-Adrian Granados welterweight fight at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

“I am happy to be fighting for (an interim) world title,” Espinoza said. “I have proven that I am ready for the moment. Tijuana will have a new world champion.”

All-Star Boxing promoter Felix “Tuto” Zabala, who promotes Espinoza, has been high on him and is pleased he is getting the opportunity.

“We are proud of Espinoza’s progress up to date,” Zabala said. “He has shown he belongs at the top of the division. We are sure of Espinoza’s ability.”

In its ruling, the WBO pointed out the relative inactivity of the belt as a key reason for approving the fight.

“Mr. Tete acquired his title on April 22, 2017,” the ruling said. “He only defended it on three occasions — November 18, 2017 against Siboniso Gonya, April 21, 2018 against Omar Narvaez, and on October 13, 2018 against Mikhail Aloyan, who was also his first quarterfinal contender of the WBSS tournament.

“The WBO World Championship Committee recognizes the importance of allowing their champions the discretion to participate in activities they may deem as of career importance, (but) the Committee must also be fair to all of its rated contenders.”