Casama vs. Ponteras for PBF belt today

PROMISING 22-year-old prospect Michael Casama will be tested if he’s indeed ready for the next stage as he trades leathers with experienced former Philippine champion Ryan Rey Ponteras on Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Norala, South Cotabato.

Casama and Ponteras will be fighting for the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) featherweight belt.

Casama is looking to bounce back after suffering his first career defeat in the hands of Pablito Canada last year. Canada stopped Casama in six rounds in an upset.

Casama returned to the ring a few months after but settled to a technical draw with Rey Ramos.

The 33-year-old Ponteras is a veteran who has faced the likes of International Boxing Organization champion Gideon Buthelezi, Michael Dasmariñas, Genisis Libranza, Rommel Asenjo and Froilan Saludar.

Ponteras lost his last four contests against Brix Piala, Dasmariñas, unbeaten Thai Yuttapong Tongdee and South Korean Seong Yeong Yang.

Casama is 8-1-1 with eight knockouts, while Ponteras is 23-18-3 with 12 knockouts.

One of the highlights of the show is the comback of former world champion Randy Petalcorin.

Petalcorin returns from a three-year layoff and faces battle-scarred veteran Jayar Diama.

Petalcorin last fought on Dec. 23, 2019 and lost via a fourth-round stoppage to Kenshiro Teraji in a World Boxing Council light flyweight title fight.

Diama lost 15 of his last 17 fights. He’s coming off a fourth-round stoppage in the hands of Justine Darap last year.

Petalcorin is 31-4-1 with 23 knockouts, while Diama is 7-20-7 with three knockouts.

In the undercard, three-time world title challenger Richie Mepranum (36-9-1, 11 KOs) slugs it out with Dexter Alimento (13-10, 9 KOs), Joshua Belcina (2-1, 2 KOs) locks horns with Jerry Tabago (3-10-1), Jimler Cubay (3-0, 3 KOs) exchanges blows with Marzon Cabilla (18-22-1, 6 KOs) and Gabriel Santisima makes his pro debut against Rocky Sardido (8-29-5, 3 KOs).