What Profits JR Casimero Fighting Saul Sanchez?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 10 Oct 2024
As in his three previous fights under a Japanese promoter, hyping attends -- and tends to overshadow the significance of -- Johnriel Casimero's forthcoming bout against touted American slugger Saul Sanchez this Sunday in Yokohama, Japan.
As it is, Casimero remains uncertain of getting nearer to a much sought after showdown with the Japanese Monster Naoya Inoue even if he beats Sanchez convincingly on Sunday (Inoue's possible next hit listings come up by Western observers do not include Johnriel, alas).
In fact, Johnriel, if he does not prepare well and as a result looks bad again, stands to lose more should he struggles-- or worst, falls in an upset to Sanchez.
Like Treasure Boxing Promotion which put up Sunday's card, many self proclaimed so called boxing experts in the Philippines that include the usual boxing bloggers are in their shtick again, presenting Sanchez as a dangerous foe and even a legit threat to Casimero.
But is Sanchez really is?
A cursory look at the resume and record of Sanchez, revealed that he is fighting at bantamweight-- one division below Casimero's weight class. And at that, he is rated #8 by just one world boxing body, the WBO for the crown now held by Yoshiki Takei of Japan.
The 27-year-old Californian known as The Beast totes a record of 21 wins, 12 by KO against three losses, all on points including a majority decision defeat to then WBO bantamweight titlist Jason Moloney of Australia in a failed title attempt at 118 lbs in early 2023.
His most prominent wins included those against then undefeated Ja' Rico O' Quinn via first round stoppage and unanimous decision wins over Filipino former world title challenger Arthur Villanueva and Franklin Gonzales.
With such a limited stats line, it is doubtful that a win by Casimero over Sanchez-- a low rated bantamweight at that--will merit him the needed huge boost in his own world ranking as what had happened in his three previous fights and wins against Ryu Akaho and Shohei Omori, both unrated Japanese who had both seen better days and the marginally rated Filippus Nghitumbwa.
Casimero is currently just rated #6 by the WBO, #7 by the WBC and #11 by the IBF in the super bantamweight lorded over by Inoue as undisputed world champion. Fellow Pinoy Carl James Martin is rated higher at #2 by WBO.
With his current quality of opponents which is far cry from his heydays of Zolani Tete and Guillermo Rigondeaux, it is obvious that Casimero also needs a top notch adviser like Atty Ed Tolentino for example, to secure him better fights and opponents should Treasure Boxing decides to give him a contract extension.
Time may be running out for Quadro Alas.
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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