Amnat Ruenroeng returns to the ring next month to offer a fourth defense of his International Boxing Federation title, this time against John Riel Casimero at Bangkok’s Huamark Indoor Stadium.
Amnat (15-0) comes off a career-defining, unanimous-decision win over Zou Shiming in Macau which helped raise his profile back home significantly, particularly following 2012’s controversial win by a Chinese boxer over a Thai opponent to win the gold at the London Olympics.
“This is a great fight, I like it,” he told reporters at Monday’s news conference announcing the match. “Casimero is a good fighter, but I am confident to beat him.”
While boxing matches in Thailand are typically held outdoors in small schools or temples on weekday afternoons when it’s cheap to buy TV airtime, Amnat’s match is booked for a 15,000-capacity indoor stadium in Bangkok on a Saturday night.
He will defend his 112-pound IBF title against former 108-pound champion Casimero (21-2), who lost that title on the scales after failing to make weight last year but is riding a seven-fight win streak. The Cebu native is no stranger to fighting on the road and has won numerous bouts in South America.
Tickets for the June 27 fight are not on general sale but will be distributed free of charge by channel Mono 29. Check local listings for further details.
