| |
|
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:
Date set for Manny-Money 2 By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt , Wed, 25 Feb 2026IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 20262 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Doors open for Manny By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS! , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21 , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19 , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS) By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Francisco wins PBF flyweight title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Fighting for NBA Americas title , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Integrated Sports to distribute ‘The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One PPV’ on Sunday, March 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas , Tue, 24 Feb 2026125 climbers reach Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament , Mon, 23 Feb 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Expresses Pride as Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Secure Wild Card Entry to WBSC World Cup By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 23 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Set to Compete at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria , Sun, 22 Feb 2026SMEP, SAEP round 6 standoff in PTC WED NEMO 4th D’ Engineers Chess Cup By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 22 Feb 2026Late Valentine’s gift for Lover Boy By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Heads to Perth, Australia, for WBC Australasia Title Fight By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026BARRIOS vs GARCIA (FIGHT ANALYSIS) By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|