Mobile Home | Desktop Version




CAN CASIMERO CONTINUE TO CONQUER ON THE ROAD?

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 10 Sep 2016




The battle is half won.

John Riel Casimero beat the scales and was able to make weight for his IBF flyweight title defense against British challenger Charlie Edwards. Casimero?s trainer Jun Agrabio, informed this writer that Casimero weighed 111.5 lbs while Edwards was 111.6. Reports from London had both a pound under the division limit.

Casimero's weight has been a recurring reason for worry.

Two years ago, when he was the IBF world champion in the 108lb division, he lost his world title during the weigh-in for his fourth title defense against Colombian Mauricio Fuentes in Cebu City. He was a shocking five pounds above the stipulated weight and was an ex-champ when he entered the ring. But he still decked Fuentes three times and stopped him in the opening round.

Casimero moved up but lost to Thai Amnat Ruenroeng in a stinking, foul-filled match in Bangkok, Thailand last year. In his rematch and title win against Ruenroeng in Beijing,China, Casimero struggled to shed excess pounds to the point of nearly collapsing.

But the predicament also showed Casimero's courage and determination.

Trainer Jun Agrabio told this writer last week during my visit to their training camp that even when Casimero was weak from dehydration,he leaned on Agrabio and told his trainer that he will place his life on his hands, and to hold him up, because he will walk, even if it kills him, to sweat and make weight.

Casimero was at the point of risking his life, just for a chance of revenge against Ruenroeng. And he did it in style, knocking out Ruenroeng in four rounds last May.

Agrabio posted on social media that Casimero was three lbs over the limit, three days before the official weigh-in. It was considered as good news by boxing pundits considering the boxer's history.

It was reported earlier on philboxing that Atty. Danrex Tapdasan of the Philippines will be one of the fight judges together with Glen Hamada of the U.S and Michael Alexander of the U.K.

Atty. Tapdasan will also be a judge on the IBF bantamweight title bout between British boxers Lee Haskins and Stuart Hall. Haskins was at 117lbs while Hall, 116.5 during the weigh-in.

Casimero (22-3-0, 14KO) is also very fortunate that his defense against Edwards (8-0-0, 3KO) will be on the undercard of the highly anticipated WBC/IBF middleweight between champion Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan and Kell Brook of the U.K. Both boxers also made weight, Golovkin 158.9lbs, and Brook at 159.4lbs. The card will be at the O2 Arena in London and considering the time difference, will be on early Sunday morning Manila time.

The 26 year old Casimero has a 6W-3L record on foreign soil. This will be his first fight in Europe. Aside from China, he has also registered victories in Nicaragua, Argentina, Mexico and Panama.
I remember from the conversations that we had for the past few years that he relishes the bigger payday that he gets abroad. But he longs for another title defense at home, preferably in his hometown, Ormoc City.

Photo - Johnriel Casimero after his training session, two days before he left for England.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Manny motors to Vegas
    By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Bakbakan sa Elorde on July 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Ringside, Still: Remembering Chino Trinidad
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
    By Dong Secuya, Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    Fri, 11 Jul 2025