Philippines, 02 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


GETTING TO KNOW JOHN RIEL CASIMERO


PhilBoxing.com




When the news came out a few months ago that John Riel Casimero signed with International promoter and matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, it raised eyebrows and also a lot of questions starting with ?John Riel who??. News of his WBO interim title shot also took boxing pundits by surprise.

So just who is John Riel Casimero?

He is a light flyweight who has fought under the radar since he turned pro in June 2007. He did win a Philippine title belt in 2008 against Rodel Quilaton but that was in far away Alcoy, Cebu. He won the WBO Asia Pacific light flyweight title two months later in Talisay City against Thai Liempetch Sor Veerapol by 5th round TKO.

When he had a chance to box on a televised fight card last May 2009 at the Cebu Coliseum, he was overshadowed by Marvin Sonsona?s stunning 2nd round KO win over Wandee Singwancha and Ramie Laput barely avoiding a roundhouse kick from Ratanachai Sor Vorapin in the 11th round.

But Casimero has remained undefeated. He has also continued to silently train at the gym that he now calls home. Two years ago, he left Ormoc City, Leyte and now lives inside the IPI Gym in Baranggay Guizo, Mandaue City, Cebu.

So when did the 20 year old gym rat take up boxing?

?I was 12 years old when I started. I used to get into a lot of street fights, one time I was fighting three guys at once. A boxing trainer saw me and asked if I was interested in becoming a boxer.?

Casimero is a former national amateur boxing champion. He finished fourth year high school and used to play soccer during interschool meets. He still does during his spare time. If he did not fight professionally, he would have wanted to become a policeman.

His dream opponent?

?Ivan Calderon. I don?t think his defensive style will bother me.?

Casimero has sparred with Richard Betos and Fernando Lumacad at the IPI Gym. He has been training for more than four months now and claims to have sparred 300 rounds already and has reached the 12 round distance thrice during sparring. He also does his early morning roadwork running up the Busay Hills.

Casimero is the second of four siblings. His father is not a prize fighter but his brother, Jason recently turned pro. John Riel goes back home to Leyte after a fight. He has never been knocked down and the only time he bled due to cuts inflicted by head butts.

?My weight will not be a problem,? he said. ?I weigh now 115 and I know I can easily make 108 during the official weigh-in.? Casimero says he weighs 125 if he doesn?t train.

Christopher Pingping ?The Sting? Tepura, a former pro boxer, trained Johnriel when he was already an eight rounder. He praised Casimero?s work ethic and is confident of victory. Nonito Donaire,Sr. will also join their training camp and they plan to leave for Nicaragua early on December 9.

Casimero will fight for the WBO interim lt.flyweight belt against Cesar Canchila of Colombia in Managua, Nicaragua on December 19 as the headliner for the special boxing event IN MEMORY OF ALEXIS "EL FLACO EXPLOSIVO" ARGUELLO, the legendary Nicaraguan three division champion.

Casimero is confident that he can make an explosive debut on the world stage and a victory will propel him closer towards his dream of facing WBO champ Ivan Calderon.

(Bottom photo: Casimero with trainer Pingping Tepura during the Friday evening interview)





Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.