Casimero Makes Waves, Finally; Paras Fails to Repeat Vs Kyugochi
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 13 Oct 2024
Johnriel Casimero finally made waves in his second fight in Japan by pounding out a first round TKO over American Saul Sanchez in a scheduled 10 round super bantamweight bout at the Yokohama Budokan in Yokohama.
Casimero took less than a minute in turning his husky opponent known as The Beast into prey and the succeeding less than two minutes into a one sided slaughter forcing the referee to stop the fight to save Sanchez from further damage.
Johnriel heavily dropped Sanchez on his back with a ponderous left hook topping his two fisted assault in the opening minute of the bout. When the American rose unsteadily on both legs after taking the mandatory eight count, Casimero continued with his two fisted assault forcing Sanchez to clinch for dear life.
The ending came after Casimero trapped Sanchez in the ropes and rained him with hard punches prompting the referee to come to the American's succor.
It was reportedly the last of Casimero's four fight deal under the Treasure Boxing Promotion of ex world champion Masayuki Ito. His first ended also in first round TKO over Ryu Akaho in South Korea, his second in a unanimous decision over Filippus Nghitumbwa in Manila and his previous first fight in Japan being declared a first round technical draw with Yukinori Oguni on account of bloody cut suffered by Oguni.
The impressive victory over Sanchez could give Casimero a contract extension with TBP.
Casimero has remained unbeaten since an upset points loss to fellow Pinoy Jonas Sultan in 2017. His record now stands at 34 wins, including 23 by KO, 4 defeats and 1 draw.
Sanchez suffered his first KO defeat in 4 losses with 21 wins, 13 by KO.
Incidentally, Nghitumbwa and Oguni also figured in the undercard of the Casimero-Sanchez bout with the African visitor scoring a first round TKO.
The TKO win by Nghitumbwa in Japan over Oguni, an ex world titlist, has the effect of enhancing further the image of Casimero who had easily defeated the Namibian in wresting his WBO Global super bantamweight championship in Manila last year.
It could have been a sweep by the visitors of the principal bouts but Filipino Vince Paras failed to repeat over ex world light flyweight titlist Hiroto Kyugochi, dropping a 10 round majority decision.
Paras despite landing more punches, failed to impress two of the three judges who scored the bout, 96-94 both in favor of Kyugochi. The third judge turned in an even 94-94 card.
In 2018, Kyugochi had outpointed Paras in a world minimumweight title defense in Tokyo.
But last May, Paras evened matters up by scoring a unanimous decision over Kyugochi in Pusan, South Korea setting up this rubber match, the winner of which could be in line for a possible world title crack next year.
Paras' record fell to 21-3 with 13 KO wins. Kyugochi improves to 19-2 also with 13 KO wins, his only other loss coming at the hands of countryman Kenshiro Teraji in their WBC-WBA light flyweight unification in 2022.
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.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OLYMPIC BOXING 4: 1924 OLYMPICS AT PARIS, FRANCE
By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 02 Dec 2025Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed UTP National Team Shines at 40th Penang Open, Captures Multiple Titles
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 02 Dec 2025WBC 63th Annual Convention Opens in Bangkok
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 02 Dec 2025Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor closing out a strong 2026
Tue, 02 Dec 2025USA Boxing Announces Partnership with Xempower USA
Tue, 02 Dec 2025THE RING 6: TEOFIMO-SHAKUR SET FOR JANUARY SHOWDOWN IN NEW YORK
Tue, 02 Dec 2025Undefeated Middleweight Dante Kirkman Set to Return December 11 in Costa Mesa
Tue, 02 Dec 2025Dejon Farrell Francis Turning Things Around
Tue, 02 Dec 2025WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David 'The Mexican Monster' Benavidez Excited About History-Making Cinco De Mayo Showdown with Gilberto Ramirez
Tue, 02 Dec 2025PPV.COM RETURNS TO THE RING LIVE STREAMING ALL-ACTION TITLE TILT ISAAC "PITBULL" CRUZ vs. LAMONT ROACH, JR
Tue, 02 Dec 2025Llover Eyes Winner of Salas-Ngexeke IBF Title Duel in Mexico
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 01 Dec 2025Jimuel draws in pro debut
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 01 Dec 2025Kevin Durant sets new NBA record
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 01 Dec 2025LAZARO LORENZANA CAPTURES WBC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE OVER LUIS ARIAS
Sun, 30 Nov 2025Paras fails bid for IBO world super fly title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 30 Nov 2025