IT will be the Philippines vs. the United Kingdom in the inaugural offering of the newly-formed Probellum Promotions featuring two world championship fights on Dec. 11 at the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
The outfit headed by Richard Schaefer announced yesterday that one of the main events will feature John Riel Casimero staking his World Boxing Organization bantamweight crown against top-ranked British challenger Paul Butler.
The other headliner of what is described as a “historic world championship double header” will pit reigning International Boxing Federation flyweight champion Sunny Edwards against Filipino contender Jayson Mama in a battle of undefeated fighters.
Both bouts are mandatory title defenses for Casimero and Edwards. The card will also feature former four-division champ Donnie Nietes, who is now fighting in the bantamweight division, as an added attraction.
“We are delighted to finally announce plans for this incredible event in Dubai next month,” said Probellum president Schaefer in a statement. “We made it clear from the outset that we have massive plans for Probellum, and this world title double-header shows just that. Fans will be treated to a night of non-stop action.”
Sporting a record of 31 wins, 21 knockout, and four losses, Casimero, 32, is making the third title defense of the crown he won in dethroning South African Zolani Tete with a third-round technical knockout in Birmingham, England on Nov. 30, 2019.
The No. 1 challenger in the WBO bantamweight division, Butler, 33, has won 33 times, 15 of them by knockout, including seven of his last fights, against two losses.
