Philippines, 24 Apr 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:

  • Verano, Cha, Oppas, Uduna, Traya, Mancito in Hot Action in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • LA Wins to Level Series With Minnesota; OKC, Indiana in Commanding 2-0 Leads
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Disturbing, Eyebrow-Raising Happenings Involving Filipino Boxers
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • HALL OF FAMER “THE COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER” CHRISTY MARTIN TO PARTICIPATE IN 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • EUBANK JR VS. BENN GRAND ARRIVALS QUOTES
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Headlining again at home a dream come true for 16-0-1 junior middleweight Anthony Velasquez
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Amateur Standout Stephanie Simon Signs with Split-T Boxing Management
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 21 April 2025: Fundora KOs Badillo, Retains Undisputed Belts; Smith UD Germain; Kovalev Returns with a Win
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Bantamweight Anthony Garnica Scores TKO Against Aston Palicte to Remain Undefeated
    , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Higher Seeds New York, Denver Fall in Playoffs Second Games to Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Young Gildo: The Baguio Bearcat
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Female Amateur Boxing Star Sar’ai Brown-El Signs with Split-T Management
    , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Apolinario to fight Hu in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Warriors Shoot Down Rockets, 95-85 as Celtics, Cavaliers, Thunder Take Care of Business
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing International Open Finalized on Saturday
    , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 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.