Casimero subdues Mexican for interim WBO title
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 22 Apr 2019
Johnriel Casimero didn?t risk going the distance and avoided what could?ve been a highway robbery by stopping Mexico?s No. 1 contender Ricardo Espinoza at 0:44 of the 12th round to capture the interim WBO bantamweight crown at the Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly the StubHub Center, in Carson City, California, last Saturday night (yesterday afternoon, Manila time).
Casimero, 30, decked Espinoza, 21, with an overhand right near the end of the sixth round for the first knockdown of the fight and appeared to be in control but a check on the tally sheets showed that he was behind in two of the three judges? scorecards after 10 stanzas. Entering the last round, judge Lou Moret saw it 105-103 for Casimero, judge Pat Russell 105-103 for Espinoza and judge Zachary Young 104-all.
Leaving nothing to chance, Casimero went for the kill to start the 12th. A left uppercut sent Espinoza down to the canvas but he beat referee Rudy Barragan?s count. Casimero didn?t let Espinoza off the hook and rained nine unanswered blows on the helpless Mexican until Barragan stepped in to halt the carnage.
It was a remarkable victory for Casimero who previously held the IBF lightflyweight and flyweight titles. Over a week ago, he arrived in Los Angeles about 12 pounds over the bantamweight limit and worked with former WBC lightflyweight champion Rodel Mayol at the Wild Card Gym to get ready for Espinoza. At the weigh-in last Friday, Casimero scaled 116 3/4 pounds but was visibly drained and declined media interviews. In contrast, Espinoza weighed in at 117 3/4. Mayol said he cut down the excess weight in only five days with proper nutrition.
Las Vegas international matchmaker Sean Gibbons, who arranged the fight, called Casimero ?one of the nastiest punchers in the lower weights today.? Gibbons couldn?t be at ringside as he was in Tokyo with WBA welterweight champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao for an engagement but designated his son Brendan to take care of Casimero. ?The guy?s incredible,? said Gibbons. ?You don?t find too many Filipinos winning fights in Panama, Nicaragua, Argentina, Mexico thrice, London and Beijing. He?s a road warrior. Espinoza was ranked No. 1 and due for a mandatory title shot with 20 KOs in 23 wins. But Casimero took care of business.?
Photo: Johnriel Casimero (right) lands a right on the way to halting Ricardo Espinoza in the 12th round to claim the interim WBO bantamweight title in Carson, California, last Saturday night (photo by Jhay Otamias).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 25 Mar 2026Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 25 Mar 202614-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland
Wed, 25 Mar 2026MMA legend Jon Jones joins IBA Bare Knuckle as global ambassador
Wed, 25 Mar 2026GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NEW EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION WITH DAZN
Wed, 25 Mar 2026“The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Wed, 25 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Shine with Statement Victories in Orlando
Tue, 24 Mar 2026Red Owl Boxing Presents Box Fest XVII on Friday, April 3rd at The Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA and LIVE on DAZN
Tue, 24 Mar 2026Boxing world fans waiting Isis Sio prompty recovery; Team Isis Sio statement
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 24 Mar 2026National Master Nika Juris Nicolas rules National Youth & Schools Chess Championships
Tue, 24 Mar 2026SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS DOUBLE MAIN EVENTS SET AS JULIUS “JUJU” BALLO SQAURES OFF AGAINST ROMAN REYES AT FRONTWAVE ARENA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
Mon, 23 Mar 2026"I'M A MAN OF MY WORD": GEORGE LIDDARD COMPLETES MATCHROOM BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY – HOURS AFTER DENNY WIN
Mon, 23 Mar 2026Lester Martinez Wins WBC Interim World Super Middleweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Immanuwel Aleem
Sun, 22 Mar 2026IBF Pan Pacific champion Vince Paras set to face unbeaten OPBF champion Aoi Yokoyama in Kyrgyzstan
Sun, 22 Mar 2026King James sets NBA all-time record for most games played
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 22 Mar 2026