Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing and co-promoter Carlos Gonzalez of Best Boxing are proud to officially announce an historic event in which two Panamanians will face two Filipinos for world titles on the same show on March 16, at the luxury Megapolis Convention Center and Hard Rock Hotel of Panama Avenida Balboa in Panama City.
In the night’s main event, IBF Junior Flyweight Champion Jon Riel Casimero (17-2, 10 KOs) will make the second defense of his belt against hometown hero Luis Alberto “Pan Blanco” Rios (18-1-1, 13 KOs).
22-year-old Casimero won his title in February 2012 in a wild affair in Argentina against Luis Alberto Lazarte, which saw both fighters down multiple times and both fighters losing several points for fouls. The eventual TKO 10 awarded to Casimero sparked one of the worst riots in recent boxing history.
Rios is the IBF’s number one contender in the division. The 22-year-old Panamanian has already held the WBC Latino light flyweight title and successfully defended it once.
And in the co-main event, former two-time world champion Roberto “La Arana” Vasquez (32-5-1, 22 KOs) of Panama will face John Mark “Iceman” Apolinario (17-2-2, 4 KOs) of the Philippines in a rematch for the WBA Interim Bantamweight Championship.
The pair fought to an exciting majority draw for the same title in Colon Entre Rios, Argentina, last November 3. Both say they deserved the victory last time and both are looking to settle it once and for all with this performance.
“I am very proud to be bringing this unforgettable night of boxing to the Panamanian people,” said promoter Lewkowicz. “This show will feature two sensational match-ups for world title belts. The Megapolis Convention Center in Panama City is a beautiful place for a fight and my partner Carlos Gonzalez and I are honored to be able to present it.”
