INIUTOS ng WBO ang paglalaban nina No. 1 contender Ricardo Espinoza ng Mexico at No. 6 ranked John Riel Casimero ng Pilipinas para sa interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title sa Abril 20 sa Dignity Health Sports Park sa Carson, California sa United States.

Magsisilbing undercard ang sagupaan nina Espinosa at Casimero Fox-televised welterweight nina dating two-division titlist Danny Garcia ng US at beteranong kontender Adrian Granados ng Mexico.

Nagprotesta ang kampo ni Espinoza na dapat paglabanan ng kanialng boksinero at ni Casimero ang interim WBO title lalo kakasa ang kampeong si Zolani Tete ng South Africa sa Pilipino ring si Nonito Donaire Jr. sa semifinals ng World Boxing Super Series.

“[T]he petitioner notes that due to the division inactivity the WBO bantamweight division-rated contenders suffer detrimental damages and opportunity losses, while vying for the WBO Bantamweight Championship Title,” Luis Batista Salas, championship committee chairman for the WBO outlined in a letter sent to all involved parties. “Mr. Tete acquired his title on April 22, 2017; 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,” ayon sa ulat ng BoxingScene.com.

“[T]he WBO World Championship Committee recognizes the importance of allowing their champions the discretion to participate in activities they may deem as of career importance, the Committee must also be fair to all of its rated contenders. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the WBO World Championship Committee that given all of the above and in the best interests of all our classified Bantamweight contenders and to benefit the Sport of Boxing as a whole, the WBO Interim Bantamweight Championship be approved,” dagdag sa ulat.

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May rekord si Espinoza na 23 panalo, 2 talo na may 20 pagwawagi sa knockouts kumpara kay Casimero na may kartadang 26 panalo, 4 talo na may 17 pagwawagi sa knockouts.