Filipino three-division world champion John Riel Casimero is squaring off against Luis Nery in a super bantamweight bout in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan at the Gazprom Sports Complex on April 18.

At stake is a vacant World Boxing Association title in the fight scheduled for 12 rounds and promoted by Saikou X Lush Boxing Promotions

It should be an exciting fight between the two fighters who have engaged in trash talks and banters in the past.

But the bout is primed to be a bigger opportunity for Casimero who is seeking relevance in the 122-pound division since he’s been chasing a title fight against unified champion Naoya Inoue.

Easier said than done, however, especially looking at his past four bouts where he compiled a 4-1-1 record. Casimero boasts a 35-4-1 slate.

Nery, on the other hand, has won his last two fights or since he suffered a sixth-round knockout loss to Inoue. The Mexican pug defeated Kyonosuke Kameda and Sathaporn Saart.

Interestingly, like Nery, Casimero fought Kameda in October but absorbed a unanimous decision defeat.