Philippines, 06 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


John Riel Casimero wins WBO 118-pound title---third world crown in as many weight divisions


PhilBoxing.com




Carson, California: It was very cold and late this eve of Easter Sunday. But to the 100 people left in attendance at the Dignity Health Sports Park, including the fighters, the ref, ring officials, 50 Mexican and 10 Filipino fans, the last (off-television) throwback of a fight was worth the wait.

I hope we agree based on some insider Tweets, Youtube, Instagram and Facebook posts from these select few, that it was the best fight of the evening. They saw the return of Danny ?Swift? Garcia who dropped Adrian Granados three times before stopping him in round seven for the WBC Silver Welterweight Championship.

Here are some quips, quotes, pics and vids shared by true boxing fans and insiders on how John Riel ?Quadro Alas? Casimero recaptured ring glory.

Top photo: John Riel Casimero with his new WBO Bantamweight Championship belt. Photo by Robert Lyons.



Robert Lyons of Starflite International, Inc. observed, ?Rounds 1-4 were wicked physical debates. They just unloaded on each with wild abandon. We?ve all been waiting 5-6 hours and both combatants appeared eager to make up for lost time. The fifth and six stanzas were more of the same, until John Riel Casimero released a right cross that knocked down Ricardo Espinoza Franco who bounced back despite visibly being hurt. The action continued with Espinoza dictating and Casimero reciprocating until the 12th and final when the boxer from Ormoc, Leyte uncorked a vicious right upper cut that had the Mexican fighter on the ring apron. After the count of eight, Casimero followed up with barrage of overhand rights, wicked right straights and left hooks which prompted the referee to halt it at the 34 second mark.?

What a night cap for fight fans.

Morris ?Hot Java? East, the Las Vegas-based boxing manager agreed, ?Ricardo ?Hindu? Franco is a hell-of-a fighter. He?ll probably need to rethink boxing and just concentrate on his college education after this. John Riel ?Quadro Alas? Casimero is of a different ilk. He is what we consider a fighter?s fighter. Tonight was his debut in the United States and he sure did not disappoint.?

Sean Gibbons, in a Youtube post said, ?John Riel, I?m out of breath, brother, my Facebook stopped in the eleventh round. I didn?t know what was happening. I never had a doubt. I knew you?d do it. Three-time champion of the world!?

By the fight?s end on the 12th round, the Waray they call John Riel Casimero celebrated his latest win with a shovel for a metaphor.

If he was pretending to till the soil?fine.

Pretending to bury the past without amendment?not so fine.

The great writer A.J. Liebling still reminds us the similarity of life and the fight game in his oft-repeated phrase? ?The Sweet Science is joined onto the past like a man?s arm to his shoulder.?



Author?s notes: Happy Easter, everyone! And Happy Birthday our mom Cristina Pasaoa Rivera.

She would have been eighty years old today.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland!
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Camique forced to fight after food poisoning; hospitalized after losing by UD
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Tony Tolj Previews Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Mexican boxing historian Eduardo Lamazón passes away at 70
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • NM Rolly Parondo rules Thailand FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: 95% KO Power Collides in Manchester — Winner Gets Usyk Next
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Former Cuban champions Gamboa and Rigondeaux returns on May 30 in Fort Lauderdale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Pido to defend crown in SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Yanong arrives in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • Parade of champs
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • David Surov outboxes Kevin Martinez at IBA.PRO Russia vs World
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • SHEEHY MAKES MATCHROOM DEBUT AGAINST GONZALEZ IN HOUSTON
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • PH chess wizard IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca tops FIDE May 2026 PH Under 20 Junior rankings
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • The Monster Prevails: Inoue Weathers the Storm to Outlast Nakatani
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • 2nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.