| |
|
CASIMERO TARGETS THE BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 15 Feb 2019
METRO MANILA ? Former two division champion John Riel Casimero is looking forward to a more busy 2019. Casimero (25-4, 16KO?s) will have his first bout in seven months, his second since the 2017 loss to countryman Jonas Sultan, this Saturday when he battles Japanese Kenya Yamashita (13-4,10KO?s) on the undercard of the WBO Oriental title fight between Dave Pe?alosa (14-0,10KO?s) and Marcos Cardenas (19-6-1,15KO?s).
Casimero won by second round TKO against Jose Pech in Tijuana, Mexico last year. His unanimous decision loss to Sultan in Cebu City was an IBF superflyweight eliminator which led to Sultan getting a title shot against Jerwin Ancajas. The shocking upset left Casimero reeling and pondering the direction of his career. The lone fight last year did not do anything to boost his morale. Even a hour before the weigh-in in his fight against Yamashita, Casimero still couldn?t gibe this writer a clear answer as to why he lost to Sultan.
But Casimero is looking to the future. ?I am going after the bantamweight title holders. Before Ancajas moves up to 118, I will be going for the big fights before he does.?
Casimero is also not taking his Japanese opponent for granted, ?He has a high KO percentage. So I know this will not be an easy fight. But I can promise the fans this will be a good one.?
In his last fight, Yamashita stopped Filipino John Mark Apolinario in three rounds at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Casimero and Yamashita both weighed in at 118 lbs during the official weigh-in held today at the ESPN 5 studios.
Casimero captured the WBO interim light flyweight title in 2009, the IBF light flyweight world title in 2012 and the IBF world flyweight title in 2016. He has beaten the likes of Luis Alberto Rios, Pedro Guevara, Amnat Ruenroeng and Charlie Edwards.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six
, Sun, 15 Mar 2026Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
, Sat, 14 Mar 2026Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Skye Nicolson Headlines Huge Matchroom Boxing Homecoming in Melbourne as New Kayo Sports TV Era Begins on April 29
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Five Boxers Advance on Day Five of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Canoy to fight Balidio on March 14 in Matanao
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Lopez vs. Gallegos’ at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, Tomorrow Night at 8 pm EDT
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Jonny Mansour Takes on William King as One Half of a Double Main Event at Frontwave Arena’s SD Fight Night: Family Business on Saturday, April 18, 2026
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Rising Contender Jalen “Skywalker” Walker Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Unsung Heroes and the Value of Service
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Ronald, eldest son of boxing legend Tommy Hearns, will be his guardian and conservator
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Remembering Gilberto Mendoza in the 10th Anniversary of His Passing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Air Force, Elite teams in Best of the Best Karate tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
