| |
|
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:
“Lucky Boy" Alicaba Ready for Action Friday in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026WBO & WBA World Champion René “El Chulo” Santiago Hosts Open Media Workout Ahead of April 3 Title Defense in Tokyo , Thu, 26 Mar 2026Former WBA FEDELATIN President Panamanian Aurelio Fiengo passes away By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026The 19th edition of the Kamatyas Rapid Open and Kiddies Chess Tournament on March 28, 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026WIG-WHAM! MILLER PLANS ‘OLD SCHOOL’ BEATING OF PERO IN LAS VEGAS , Thu, 26 Mar 2026ProBoxTV Bringing a Storm of Flying Leather to Thunder Studios This Saturday, March 28, as Bryan Acosta Collides with Ronny Rios in Crossroads Bantamweight Slugfest , Thu, 26 Mar 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Training Camp Quotes , Thu, 26 Mar 2026Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026House of Representatives say yes to the Boxing Revitalization Act and it is now sent to the Senate By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’ Kielczweski To return after 4-year layoff to fight at home on Granite Chin’s ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Ellaine Summer Abanco wins silver medal on tiebreak By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Catubig, McDowell win in DC Athletic 4 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Team Juna wins first competition in IRONMAN 70.3 Davao By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 202614-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland , Wed, 25 Mar 2026MMA legend Jon Jones joins IBA Bare Knuckle as global ambassador , Wed, 25 Mar 2026GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NEW EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION WITH DAZN , Wed, 25 Mar 2026“The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Shine with Statement Victories in Orlando , Tue, 24 Mar 2026Red Owl Boxing Presents Box Fest XVII on Friday, April 3rd at The Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA and LIVE on DAZN , Tue, 24 Mar 2026Boxing world fans waiting Isis Sio prompty recovery; Team Isis Sio statement By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 24 Mar 2026National Master Nika Juris Nicolas rules National Youth & Schools Chess Championships , Tue, 24 Mar 2026SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS DOUBLE MAIN EVENTS SET AS JULIUS “JUJU” BALLO SQAURES OFF AGAINST ROMAN REYES AT FRONTWAVE ARENA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026 , Mon, 23 Mar 2026"I'M A MAN OF MY WORD": GEORGE LIDDARD COMPLETES MATCHROOM BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY – HOURS AFTER DENNY WIN , Mon, 23 Mar 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|