Tila binabalewala ni IBF flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng ng Thailand ang mandatory contender at No. 1 na si dating light flyweight titlist Johnreil Casimero ng Pilipinas kaya kaagad inihayag na hahamunin niya sa unification bout ang 112 pounds champion.
Tinalo sa puntos kamakalawa ng gabi ni Ruenrong si two-time Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming ng China sa sagupaang ginanap sa Macao at kaagad naghamon ng unification bout kina WBC flyweight titlist Roman Gonzalez ng Nicaragua at WBA/WBO title holder Juan Francisco Estrada ng Mexico.
“I was confident I’d win the fight,” pagyayabang ng walang talong si Ruenrong sa Fightnews.com. “I always said I would bring the belt back to Thailand and I did it. I want to unify the championship and make more history in boxing!”
Ngunit malaki ang naitulong ng mga Pilipino para maikondisyon si Ruenrong laban sa ka-stable ni Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao na si Shiming.
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“This was a great fight. Even though the result upset China boxing fans, they still cheered Amnat after the fight,” sinabi ng promoter ni Ruenrong na si Thai Jimmy Chaichotchuang. “The Jaro brothers, Francisco Jaro and Aljoe Jaro from the Philippines did a great job. I look forward to making his unification with other world champions.”
Ngunit bago mag-ambisyon sa unification bout si Ruenrong ay dapat niyang paghandaan ang Pilipinong si Casimero na tumanggap lamang ng set aside fee mula sa Top Rank Promotions para hamunin ni Shiming ang Thai.
Pinatulog ni Casimero sa 2nd round si Mexican Armando Santos noong Disyembre 13, 2014 sa Nuevo Leon, Mexico sa eliminator bout kaya naging mandatory contender ni Ruenrong na taglay ang kartadang 21-2-0 (win-loss-draw) na may 13 panalo sa knockouts.
