| |
|
CASIMERO STOPS FRANCO IN 12, CAPTURES WBO INTERIM BANTAM TITLE
By Dong Secuya PhilBoxing.com Sun, 21 Apr 2019

Former two-division world champion John Riel Casimero of the Philippines won a hard-fought 12th round stoppage over Mexican slugger Ricardo Espinoza Franco to capture the WBO Interim world batamweight title at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA on the undercard of Danny Garcia-Andrian Granados main-header Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).
Casimero (27-4-0, 17KOs) dropped Franco (23-3-0, 20KOs) in the 6th round but the Mexican knockout artist recovered and continued to press action as Casimero was catching for breath. Casimero caught Franco again in the 12th round for a second knockdown but after the Mexican beat the count, Casimero threw a barrage of unanswered punches before Referee Rudy Barragan stepped in to stop the carnage. Time: 44 seconds of the 12th round.


Casimero, who got derailed by a loss against compatriot Jonas Sultan on Sep. 16, 2017, is now back in harness by capturing a world title in a third division. The regular WBO world bantamweight champion is Zolani Tete of South Africa who will defend his WBO/WBA titles against Nonito Donaire Jr next week, April 27, in Lafayette, Louisiana for the WBSS tournament. The WBO earlier ruled that since the WBSS tournament will take time to finish, making the champion unavailable to defend his title against the WBO contenders, it sanctioned the Casimero-Franco fight for the Interim title.
Casimero earlier captured the IBF light flyweight and flyweight world titles.

Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30 , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night , Fri, 17 Apr 2026CHARLIE SHEEHY PENS PROMOTIONAL PACT WITH MATCHROOM , Fri, 17 Apr 2026BEN WHITTAKER OPENS UP ON HIS AMERICAN DREAM, CALL-OUTS AND HEADLINING IN 'SPECIAL CITY' LIVERPOOL THIS SATURDAY – LIVE ON DAZN , Thu, 16 Apr 2026IBA partners with Global Boxing Series for landmark fight night in Navi Mumbai , Thu, 16 Apr 2026IM Arca finishes 2nd in Thailand Blitz By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026Cebuano "Money Punch" Elmo Traya Heading to Georgia for WBF World Title Shot! By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026Unfinished Business: Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright Super Lightweight Rematch Set for May 16 at Norfolk’s Scope Arena LIVE on DAZN , Thu, 16 Apr 2026Rhaki Constantino bags Asian HeyBall Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026GARNICA VS. CORREA SET FOR WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS TITLE CLASH IN LONG BEACH MAY 15 , Wed, 15 Apr 2026IBA Board of Directors convenes for strategic April 2026 meeting , Wed, 15 Apr 2026Cadalso to turn pro in Juego Todo By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 15 Apr 20262-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2 in Las Vegas , Wed, 15 Apr 2026Former Coach of De La Salle University Taft-Manila finishes third place in Beijing Blitz Grand Prix By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 15 Apr 2026"When one goes to war we all go to war!" – Owen Corrigan challenges Mad Dog Micah Rivetti for Light Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54 , Tue, 14 Apr 2026Crocs FC wins 3 titles in Football sa Bayan By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026Chess Kings Ready to Battle in Pacquiao 3x3 Chess Team Tournament at Lica Malls 500 Shaw By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|