Philippines, 30 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Casimero disqualified in title defense


PhilBoxing.com



Casimero.
WBO bantamweight champion JohnRiel Casimero has until today to plead his case in avoiding dethronement after being ruled out of his title defense against England’s Paul Butler in Liverpool tomorrow (Saturday morning, Manila time) for violating a British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) ban on sauna use for reducing weight. In an earlier decision, the WBO decreed that Casimero would be stripped if he fails to fight Butler for whatever reason but “Quadro Alas” was given a 48-hour window to submit a “show cause” letter to explain why he shouldn’t be defrocked.

Casimero trained in San Diego for over a month then landed in Liverpool late last week to keep his appointment with Butler. Unaware of the BBBC rule, Casimero posted on his social media account pictures and a video showing him in a sauna room at Derby Lane Health & Fitness. The rule states that “the use of saunas to lose weight is strictly forbidden by the BBBofC and any boxer found or suspected of using a sauna will be refused permission to box without exception.”

WBO championship committee chairman Luis Batista Salas wrote a letter to Casimero’s Russian manager Egis Klimas that “Casimero’s actions are against the Board’s medical guidelines and will not be permitted to compete accordingly.” Salas ordered Casimero to submit a “show cause” letter within 48 hours from April 19 “as to why the WBO title shall not be declared vacant.” As of last Tuesday, Casimero reportedly scaled 119.8 pounds or within striking distance of the bantamweight limit of 118. But Salas said “the BBBofC indicated that Casimero has completed two check weights since arriving in the UK and these proceedings have shown an alarming reduction in weight of 10 pounds in only three days.”

Meanwhile, the WBO designated Filipino Jonas Sultan to replace Casimero and face Butler instead for the interim championship to save the promotion. Butler is ranked No. 1 and Sultan No. 4 by the WBO. Sultan, 30, has an 18-5 record, with 11 KOs while Butler, 33, is a former IBF bantamweight champion with a 33-2, with 15 KOs, slate.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 60 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
    , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • 11-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • IBA welcomes the victory of common sense in the IOC policy on protecting women
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Genetic Testing will be required in Olympic Games
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • “Lucky Boy" Alicaba Ready for Action Friday in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • WBO & WBA World Champion René “El Chulo” Santiago Hosts Open Media Workout Ahead of April 3 Title Defense in Tokyo
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Former WBA FEDELATIN President Panamanian Aurelio Fiengo passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • The 19th edition of the Kamatyas Rapid Open and Kiddies Chess Tournament on March 28, 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.