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Philippines, 22 May 2026 |
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Casimero Needs Professional Team to Set A-right His Flagging Boxing Career By Teodoro Medina Reynoso PhilBoxing.com Wed, 29 Oct 2025  It is very hard to make heads or tails out of Johnriel Casimero's recent supposed comeback fight in faraway Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Casimero served a one year suspension by the Japan Boxing Commission for failing (yet again) to make the contracted weight in an October 2024 fight in Japan which ironically he won by a spectacular first round knockout over a Latino. Johnriel fought his comeback bout under his new promoter Kameda Promotion of ex world champion Koki Kameda in a boxing promotion held in Bishkek against one of Kameda's wards, Kyosonuke Kameda and lost by 10 round unanimous decision. First of, why Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan? It could be recalled that Koki and his famous fighting brothers were themselves banned from fighting in Japan for their being mavericks. Now that their fighting days are over and now into boxing promotion, perhaps they are still getting the cold shoulder from the JBC. Hence, the resort to Bishkek. It was the first ring loss by Casimero since 2018 when he was upset by fellow Pinoy Jonas Sultan in a 12 round world eliminator at super flyweight. Officially, the loss will be reflected. But to this writer, it is a defeat replete with asterisks. Johnriel, on record a super bantamweight rated number 11 by boxrec, fought Kameda, an elongated featherweight rated number 16 on the other hand by boxrec. On paper, there's nothing unusual about this as fighters one weight class lower and higher usually fought each other. Except that Casimero and Kameda agreed to fight at the contracted weight of super featherweight. Perhaps, Koki Kameda, aware of Johnriel's tendency to come a few pounds over at official weigh-in, made sure there won't be a mess up this time by setting the fight at 130 lbs! As to the fight itself there's not much details except that Kyonosuke used his size and reach advantages and plenty of movements to pile up scoring points. And frustrate Johnriel from mounting any meaningful offense where he had the edge in punching power. Well, that is boxing, the so-called sweet science. Kyonosuke got all the votes--- including a shutout-- from all the judges, a Chinese, a Thai and a Japanese. Not really anyone's idea of a neutral panel of judges Even if the fight was held outside of Japan, the organizers made sure the Japanese fighter enjoyed the advantage. As was the case in the main event where another Pinoy- Reymart Tagacanao, erstwhile unbeaten, lost by UD to his Japanese foe. The victory does not necessarily boost the career and profile of Kyonosuke who was coming off two losses to Alan Picasso (MD) and Luis Nery (TKO) before meeting Casimero. As the defeat diminished Johnriel given the curious circumstances as mentioned here. Quadro Alas is still idolized by many in the Philippines who believe Casimero could not only be competitive but even beat many of the big names in and around 118 lbs and 122 lbs. given the proper circumstances which include proper professional management and training. This writer was pleasantly surprised to learn that among the Casimero believers is a former member of the amazing Manny Pacquiao training team at the peak of his career. He is no other than Alex Ariza who was instrumental in putting Manny at his best physical condition in many of his epic ring wars in the mid 2010s. In a telephone radio interview via Zoom with my partner Romuel Alarcon last Saturday, Ariza said that Johnriel is among the Philippines' great fighters whom he said he had wanted to help in physical conditioning and strengthening had he been given the opportunity. But Ariza sadly noted that Johnriel is wasting away his God-given talent and attributes because of poor management and training. Ariza also bewails the current practice of putting talented Filipino fighters, including very promising prospects under the management and promotion of Japanese managers and promoters in Japan only to see them idle for most times or worse, pitted against rated Japanese fighters to fatten the records of those Japanese fighters. Ariza said boxing especially in developed countries has evolved to the point that a boxer has to have a complete team to help not only in career management and training but also in such vital aspects as strength and conditioning, nutrition, mental and psychological preparations and also in recovery. Except for a few ones, this is what Manny Pacquiao had at the height of his career with Bob Arum and coach Freddie Roach. In contrast, Johnriel Casimero has virtually been carrying on with his career as a freelance with his brother Jason as chief trainer after parting with MP Promotion and latching with Japanese managers and promoters. Ariza said this won't do. He emphasised that in order to put his career aright Casimero needs a professional management and training team if he wanted to become world champion again. The way he sounded, Alex Ariza may be wishing to be part of this team. The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.  |
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