Opportunity for Casimero to Steal Some Attention
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 31 Aug 2024
On the day of the start of a two days multi world title extravaganza at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Johnriel Casimero is headlining a 10 round featured bout in Yokohama against American banger Saul Sanchez.
It will be an opportunity for Casimero to draw attention from discriminating Japanese fans coming from quite a lengthy inactivity especially if he could produce a performance that could steal the thunder from the world title bouts in Ariake featuring Takuma Inoue and Kenshiro Teraji.
Casimero has not been impressive in his last two bouts against Ryo Akaho in South Korea that initially ended in a no decision that was later overturned to TKO victory for him and Ryosuke Oguni that ended in a 4th round technical draw in Japan. In between though Johnriel was powerful in scoring a unanimous decision over Fillipus Nwightumbwa back in Manila.
In Saul Sanchez who is a come forward fighter, the expectation is that Casimero finally has the kind of opponent that could bring back the fighter that destroyed three successive tough fighters including Zolani Tete on the way to the WBO bantamweight championship few years ago.
Sanchez also known as "The Beast" has a record of 22 wins, 13 by KO against just 3 losses, all on points. Sanchez gained prominence and notoriety by decking then rising undefeated American stylist Ja Rico O Quinn on the way to a first round kbockout.
In his last two fights, he lost on points to Jason Moloney but outpointed veteran Filipino Arthur Villanueva.
Casimero totes a record of 33 wins, 22 by KO against 4 losses, 1 by TKO and 4 draws. His lone TKO loss came from Moruti Mfhalane in a failed IBF flyweight title attempt way back in 2011 in South Africa.
Casimero last tasted defeat way back in 2017 losing by upset decision to Jonas Sultan in a super flyweight world title eliminator. Since moving up to the bantamweight and now the super bantamweight, he has not been defeated.
His reputation has followed Casimero with Boxrec ranking him #2 just behind undisputed world champion Naoya Inoue. He is however just listed #5 by the WBO and #8 by the WBC in their latest ranking.
Until a spate of unimpressive showing, Casimero is seen as the best fighter to challenge the ascendancy of Inoue at 122 lbs.
His forthcoming bout versus Sanchez will be an opportunity for Casimero to at least draw again the curiosity of Japanese fight fans.
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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