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:
Ronny Alvarez Shines with 5th Round TKO Victory Over Bruno Pola on DAZN
Thu, 23 Oct 2025TICKETS ON SALE NOW AS FLORES FACES CORDINA IN STOCKTON SHOWDOWN
Thu, 23 Oct 2025Teflon Promotions Presents: The Replay: The Volume 1 on Saturday November 22nd at The 6th Man Center in Philadelphia
Thu, 23 Oct 2025DAY TWO: CHUA CRASHES OUT AS MANAS MARCHES ON IN MANILA
Thu, 23 Oct 2025Doncic equals Kobe's record in the Lakers' NBA season opener
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 23 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 21: THE RELATIONSHIP OF MUHAMMAD ALI AND JOE FRAZIER
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Sumabong is new WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Happy Birthday Reymart Soledad!
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 22 Oct 2025October 30: Mary Spencer-Mikaela Mayer Super Welterweight Title Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel
Wed, 22 Oct 2025Pinoy chessers off to hot start in Italy World Senior Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Finalists for the WBC Grand Prix are Set
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Traya to fight again in Thailand on Oct. 25
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Texas super middleweight Darius Fulghum Preparing to get back in the title hunt
Wed, 22 Oct 2025Aaron Pryor honored on his 70th birthday anniversary
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 22 Oct 2025DUONG SUFFERS SHOCK EXIT AS GORST OPENS STRONG IN MANILA
Tue, 21 Oct 2025