| |
|
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:
IBA President Umar Kremlev drives global combat sports expansion with historic wrestling partnership with RAF , Sat, 11 Jul 2026July 14th Fight Card Featuring Hasim Rahman Moved to Tuesday, August 18th at ESL Ballpark in Rochester, New York , Sat, 11 Jul 2026Sem Japet Enano scores another Upset in Brisbane, Stops Tyler Blizzard in 7th , Fri, 10 Jul 2026WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight champion Gabriel Santisima set to defend title tomorrow in Malungon, Sarangani Province , Fri, 10 Jul 2026BiYu Promotions Launches "Fights Under the Lights" with Star-Studded Card Featuring the Return of the Grandy Twins , Fri, 10 Jul 2026Full card set for ProBoxTV on July 18 in San Bernardino , Fri, 10 Jul 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises world-class spectacle ahead of IBA PRO 19 showdown , Fri, 10 Jul 2026Ataev-Uzcategui WBA title eliminator officials named By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 10 Jul 2026GM Joey Antonio is set to defend his titles at the upcoming sixth Gov. Henry S.Oaminal Chess Championships By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Jul 2026Triple title header in UKC slugfest on July 12 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Jul 2026Coming soon Chávez vs Chávez new documentary TV series By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 09 Jul 2026ANDY RUIZ JR. PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM , Thu, 09 Jul 2026US based NM OJ Reyes eyes another title By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Jul 2026Legane fights on August 2 in Japan By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Jul 2026"The Greatest" Muhammad Ali biographical mini series to stream on Prime Video starting November 4 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 08 Jul 2026Ramon Cardenas-Leonardo Carrillo, plus two more 10-round fights added to Lester Martinez-Luka Plantic card , Wed, 08 Jul 202656th Annual NABF Convention Concludes with Resounding Success in Savannah, Georgia By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 08 Jul 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev: IOC had no choice but to accept lifting the restrictions on Russian athletes , Wed, 08 Jul 2026Martin dares Inoue, Casimero By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 07 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 6 JULY 2026: Abdullah Mason Stops Albert Bell in 12; Carrington Outpoints Palacios; Wins by Mossely, Sadjo, El Hadri. By Eric Armit, , Tue, 07 Jul 2026Quiñonero to fight again on August 28 By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 07 Jul 2026MannyPay Global Launches U.S. Merchant Processing Division to Help Small Businesses Lower Payment Costs and Accelerate Growth , Tue, 07 Jul 2026Murat Gassiev to face Peter Kadiru for the WBA Heavyweight world title , Tue, 07 Jul 2026Bansilan, Tan rule Faith Run , Tue, 07 Jul 2026Teremoana and new Matchroom Boxing signing Zerafa confirmed for big August 12 card in Australia , Mon, 06 Jul 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|