John Riel Casimero
| John Riel Casimero | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | John Riel Reponte Casimero |
| Nickname(s) | Quadro Alas ("Four Aces") |
| Weight(s) |
|
| Height | 5 ft 2+1⁄2 in (159 cm)[1] |
| Reach | 64+1⁄2 in (164 cm)[1] |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Born | February 13, 1990 Merida, Leyte, Philippines[2] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 35 |
| Wins | 31 |
| Wins by KO | 21 |
| Losses | 4 |
John Riel Reponte Casimero (born February 13, 1990) is a Filipino professional boxer. He has held world championships in three weight classes; the WBO bantamweight title from 2019 to 2021; the IBF junior-flyweight title from 2012 to 2013; and the IBF flyweight title in 2016. Quadro Alas is Tagalog for four of a kind when translated, his moniker means Four Aces.
Professional career[]
Early career[]
On August 23, 2008, just a year after turning pro, Casimero defeated Rodel Quilaton for the then vacant Philippines Boxing Federeration (PBF) flyweight title, winning a unanimous decision (UD) through ten rounds.[3] Following the bout, Casimero moved down one division, to light flyweight, defeating Liempetch Sor Veerapol of Thailand by technical knockout (TKO) in the fifth round to claim the then vacant WBO Asia Pacific Light Flyweight title.[4] Casimero successfully defended that title two bouts later against Ardin Diale, until he got the biggest break of his career.
On December 19, 2009, in Managua, Nicaragua, Casimero won the then-vacant interim WBO light flyweight title, by defeating former interim WBA Light Flyweight champion César Canchila of Colombia. Canchila had a record of 28–2 coming into the bout, with his last loss coming from current WBA light flyweight world champion Giovanni Segura, whom he previously defeated for the interim title. Casimero gave a spectacular performance, the fight being his first outside his home country. He was able to knockdown Canchila multiple times until the referee finally stopped the bout in the 11th round of the scheduled 12 round interim title fight.[5] This win can give Casimero a title shot against Iván Calderón of Puerto Rico, who previously defeated Filipino boxer Rodel Mayol.[6] Casimero fought Ramón García Hirales on July 3, 2010, for his first defense of the interim WBO light flyweight title but lost by split decision.
Casimero got his first shot at a world title when he challenged Moruti Mthalane of South Africa for the IBF flyweight title on March 26, 2011.[7] He was, however, stopped by the South African in five rounds, therefore marking his second career loss.[8]
IBF light-flyweight champion[]
Casimero vs. Lazarte[]
On February 11, 2012, Casimero, and members of his team were kicked and assaulted when fans in Mar del Plata hurled chairs and stormed the ring following his 10th-round knockout of local Argentine fighter Luis Alberto Lazarte for the IBF interim junior flyweight championship.[9] After the riot, police escorted Casimero and his team to their hotel and provided protection for them. Lazarte later visited to apologize.[9] The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest to the Argentine government after Argentine fans attacked Casimero in the ring after winning the title bout.[9][10] Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez stated that the Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires filed a protest with Argentina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is awaiting an explanation.[9] Lazarte was banned by IBF for threat, sparking a ring riot.[10]
On July 19, 2012, Casimero was upgraded to the status of full IBF junior flyweight champion because of the inability of Ulises Solis to defend his title on or before October 30.[11]
Successful title defenses[]
On his first defense of the IBF junior flyweight title, Casimero faced Pedro Guevara of Mexico on August 4, 2012. He scored a knockdown in the opening round and fought to a split decision victory.[12] He successfully made a second defense of his title against WBC Latino light flyweight champion Luis Alberto Rios on March 16, 2013.[13] His third defense was against Felipe Salguero on October 26, 2013 and he won by eleventh-round knockout.[14]
IBF flyweight champion[]
Casimero vs. Ruenroeng I and II[]
Following his win against Mauricio Fuentes and Armando Santos, Casimero moved back up to the flyweight division. On June 27, 2015, he lost his return to flyweight bout via unanimous decision against IBF champion Amnat Ruenroeng in a controversial match.[15] On May 25, 2016, Casimero challenged Ruenroeng again for the IBF flyweight title and knocked him out with a vicious left hook to the body in the fourth round to become a two-division world champion.[16]
Casimero vs. Edwards[]
In his second title defence, Casimero faced undefeated Charlie Edwards, on September 10, 2016 on the undercard of Gennady Golovkin vs. Kell Brook at The O2 Arena in London, England. Casimero was on the offensive for most of the fight, as Edwards was unable to deal with Casimero's ring craft. Casimero upped the pace in the tenth round, and dropped Edwards with a left hook. Edwards beat the count, but as soon as he got up, Casimero unleashed a flurry of punches towards the challenger, which prompted the referee to end the fight immediately.[17]
Bantamweight[]
Following Casimero's successful title defense against Charlie Edwards in September 2016, he moved up in weight, fighting in non-title bouts at super-flyweight, bantamweight and even one bout against Jose Pech at featherweight before settling at the bantamweight division,[18] where he defeated Ricardo Espinoza Franco via twelfth-round knockout to win the WBO interim bantamweight title in his first fight in the United States on April 20, 2019.[19] He defended the interim title on August 24, 2019 against Cesar Ramirez, winning via tenth-round knockout, to become full WBO bantamweight titleholder Zolani Tete's mandatory challenger, setting up a showdown with Tete.[20]
WBO bantamweight champion[]
Casimero vs. Tete[]
On 30 November 2019, Casimero challenged Zolani Tete for his WBO bantamweight title in Birmingham, England. Despite Tete being the favorite for the fight, Casimero scored a third-round knockout over the long-reigning champion to capture his WBO bantamweight title. The victory meant that Casimero became a three-division world champion.[21]
Casimero vs. Micah[]
Casimero had been scheduled to face undefeated unified bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in a unification clash on April 25, 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused the fight to be cancelled.[22] He instead faced Duke Micah, ranked #11 by the WBO, in his first WBO bantamweight title defense on September 26, 2020 on the undercard of The Charlos vs. Dereyvanchenko and Rosario. Casimero recorded another stoppage win, again in the third round, to retain his WBO belt.[23]
Casimero vs. Rigondeaux[]
Casimero faced two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux on August 14, 2021.[24] It was announced on June 19 that WBC champion Nonito Donaire would replace Rigondeaux,[25] but when the fight between Casimero and Donaire fell apart over insults directed at Donaire's wife,[26] Rigondeaux stepped back in to fight Casimero as had been originally planned.[27] In a low-key affair that saw the CompuBox record broken for fewest combined landed punches in a 12-round fight, Casimero pressured his opponent all night, fighting on the front foot and throwing more punches than Rigondeaux, who was reluctant to engage. Casimero was rewarded with a split decision victory, with scores of 117-111 and 116-112 in his favor, and 115-113 in favor of Rigondeaux.[28]
In his post-fight interview, Casimero criticized his opponent's extremely passive gameplan, saying "I'm focused on [the] knockout, but Rigondeaux always runs. Rigondeaux just always runs. No fighting." He continued by reaffirming that it is his intention to unify the bantamweight division, targeting the division's other titleholders, Nonito Donaire and Naoya Inoue. Casimero concluded his interview by issuing the middle finger to Inoue.[29].
Professional boxing record[]
| 35 fights | 31 wins | 4 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 21 | 1 |
| By decision | 10 | 3 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Win | 31–4 |  Guillermo Rigondeaux
|
SD | 12 | Aug 14, 2021 |  Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, US
|
Retained WBO bantamweight title |
| 34 | Win | 30–4 |  Duke Micah
|
TKO | 3 (12), 0:54 | Sep 26, 2020 | Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US
|
Retained WBO bantamweight title |
| 33 | Win | 29–4 |  Zolani Tete
|
TKO | 3 (12), 2:14 | Nov 30, 2019 |  Arena Birmingham, Birmingham, England
|
Won WBO bantamweight title |
| 32 | Win | 28–4 |  Cesar Ramirez
|
KO | 10 (12), 2:23 | Aug 24, 2019 |  San Andres Civic & Sports Center, Manila, Philippines
|
Retained WBO interim bantamweight title |
| 31 | Win | 27–4 | Ricardo Espinoza Franco
|
KO | 12 (12), 0:44 | Apr 20, 2019 | Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, US
|
Won WBO interim bantamweight title |
| 30 | Win | 26–4 |  Kenya Yamashita
|
TKO | 6 (10), 0:47 | Feb 16, 2019 | Midas Hotel and Casino, Pasay, Philippines
|
|
| 29 | Win | 25–4 | Jose Pech
|
TKO | 2 (6), 1:41 | Jul 21, 2018 | Casino Hipodromo Agua Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico
|
|
| 28 | Loss | 24–4 | Jonas Sultan
|
UD | 12 | Sep 16, 2017 | Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Philippines
|
|
| 27 | Win | 24–3 | Jecker Buhawe
|
UD | 6 | Jun 25, 2017 | Iligan City, Philippines
|
|
| 26 | Win | 23–3 | Charlie Edwards
|
TKO | 10 (12), 1:57 | Sep 10, 2016 | The O2 Arena, London, England
|
Retained IBF flyweight title |
| 25 | Win | 22–3 |  Amnat Ruenroeng
|
KO | 4 (12), 2:10 | May 25, 2016 |  Diamond Court, Beijing, China
|
Won IBF flyweight title |
| 24 | Loss | 21–3 | Amnat Ruenroeng
|
UD | 12 | Jun 27, 2015 | Indoor Stadium Huamark, Bangkok, Thailand
|
For IBF flyweight title |
| 23 | Win | 21–2 | Armando Santos
|
TKO | 2 (12) | Dec 13, 2014 | Salón Las Palmas, Pesquería, Mexico
|
|
| 22 | Win | 20–2 |  Mauricio Fuentes
|
KO | 1 (12), 2:59 | May 3, 2014 | Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Philippines
|
|
| 21 | Win | 19–2 | Felipe Salguero
|
TKO | 11 (12), 1:34 | Oct 26, 2013 | Makati Coliseum, Makati, Philippines
|
Retained IBF junior-flyweight title |
| 20 | Win | 18–2 |  Luis Alberto Rios
|
UD | 12 | Mar 16, 2013 | Megapolis Convention Center, Panama City, Panama
|
Retained IBF junior-flyweight title |
| 19 | Win | 17–2 | Pedro Guevara
|
SD | 12 | Aug 4, 2012 | Centro de Convenciones, Mazatlán, Mexico
|
Retained IBF junior-flyweight title |
| 18 | Win | 16–2 |  Luis Alberto Lazarte
|
TKO | 10 (12), 1:09 | Feb 10, 2012 | Club Once Unidos, Mar del Plata, Argentina
|
Won IBF interim junior-flyweight title |
| 17 | Win | 15–2 | Roemart Sentillas
|
TKO | 2 (10) | Oct 15, 2011 | Hoops Dome, Lapu-Lapu, Philippines
|
|
| 16 | Loss | 14–2 | Moruti Mthalane
|
TKO | 5 (12), 1:50 | Mar 26, 2011 | Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
|
For IBF flyweight title |
| 15 | Loss | 14–1 | Ramón García Hirales
|
SD | 12 | Jul 24, 2010 | Polideportivo Centenario, Los Mochis, Mexico
|
Lost WBO interim light flyweight title |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | César Canchila
|
TKO | 11 (12), 1:40 | Dec 19, 2009 |  Dennis Martínez National Stadium, Managua, Nicaragua
|
Won WBO interim light flyweight title |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Ardin Diale
|
KO | 8 (12), 1:42 | May 28, 2009 | Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City, Philippines
|
Retained WBO Asia Pacific light flyweight title |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Allan Ranada
|
UD | 8 | May 8, 2009 | Sports Complex, Naga, Philippines
|
|
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Liempetch Sor Veerapol
|
TKO | 5 (12), 1:02 | Oct 3, 2008 | Sports Complex, Talisay, Philippines
|
Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific light flyweight title |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Rodel Quilaton
|
UD | 10 | Aug 23, 2008 | Eusebio Sestoso Memorial Coliseum, Alcoy, Philippines
|
Won vacant Filipino flyweight title |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Roemart Sentillas
|
TKO | 3 (10) | Jul 17, 2008 | Compostela, Philippines
|
|
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Roel Honor
|
TKO | 1 (10) | Jun 12, 2008 | Baybay, Philippines
|
|
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Daryl Amoncio
|
MD | 8 | Apr 21, 2008 | City Auditorium, Lapu-Lapu, Philippines
|
|
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jerome Bontog
|
KO | 3 (6) | Mar 29, 2008 | City Plaza Square, Mandaue, Philippines
|
|
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Rogen Flores
|
TD | 6 (8) | Jan 12, 2008 | Sports Center, Borbon, Philippines
|
|
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Dodong Zalde
|
KO | 2 (6), 1:04 | Dec 16, 2007 | Sports Center, Carmen, Philippines
|
|
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Roel Honor
|
UD | 6 | Aug 26, 2007 | Sports Center, Daanbantayan, Philippines
|
|
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Andrew Pal
|
TKO | 2 (4) | Aug 16, 2007 | Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, Alcoy, Philippines
|
|
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Lobert Bayo
|
UD | 4 | Jun 3, 2007 | Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue, Philippines
|
Exhibition boxing record[]
| 1 fight | 1 win | 0 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Billy Jack Sanchez
|
TKO | 3 (3), 1:40 | May 9, 2021 | Glenford Fitness Boxing Gym, Taguig City, Philippines
|
Personal life[]
Casimero is separated with his wife with whom he has two daughters.[30]
See also[]
- List of light-flyweight boxing champions
- List of flyweight boxing champions
- List of bantamweight boxing champions
- List of Filipino boxing world champions
References[]
- ^ a b Showtime Championship Boxing tale of the tape prior to the Guillermo Rigondeaux fight.
- ^ Rosal, Dale (September 13, 2021). "Casimero gets warm welcome back home in Merida, Leyte". Cebu Daily News. Inquirer Group. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ "ALCOY RESULTS AND PHOTOS". philboxing.com. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
- ^ "MARCIAL, CASIMERO WIN IN TALISAY". philboxing.com. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
- ^ "BREAKING NEWS: CASIMERO DOWNS CANCHILA FIVE TIMES EN ROUTE TO 11TH ROUND TKO VICTORY, WINS TITLE". philboxing.com. 20 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
- ^ "Casimero gets shot at Calderon's world crown". FightFan.com. 2 March 2010.
- ^ Ronnie Nathanielsz (March 1, 2011). "CASIMERO BATTLES MTHALANE FOR IBF FLYWEIGHT TITLE". PhilBoxing.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
- ^ Edward Chaykovsky (March 26, 2011). "Ndlovu Shocks Molitor To Win, Mthalane KOs Casimero". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
- ^ a b c d Philippines protests attack on boxer in Argentina – SI.com – Boxing. Sportsillustrated.cnn.com (2012-02-15). Retrieved on 2012-03-03.
- ^ a b Boxer Luis Lazarte banned by IBF for threat, sparking ring riot – ESPN. Espn.go.com (2012-02-17). Retrieved on 2012-03-03.
- ^ "IBF DECLARES CASIMERO NEW JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION". philboxing.com. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ^ Felipe Leon. "Casimero retains IBF jr flyweight belt". Fightnews.com. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ^ http://www.boxingscene.com/john-riel-casimero-tops-luis-alberto-rios-dull-affair--63443
- ^ "Casimero retains IBF light flyweight title with TKO victory over Salguero".
- ^ "Amnat Ruenroeng retains title in foul-fest vs. Casimero". The Ring. 2015-06-27. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ Gigney, George. "John Riel Casimero gets revenge over Amnat Ruenroeng to win flyweight title - Boxing News". www.boxingnewsonline.net. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
- ^ "Casimero Retains, Takes Out Charlie Edwards in Ten Rounds". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ "BoxRec: John Riel Casimero". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
- ^ "John Riel Casimero stops Ricardo Espinoza in round 12, wins interim WBO belt". The Ring. 2019-04-21. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
- ^ "John Riel Casimero starches Cesar Ramirez in 10, sets up Zolani Tete showdown". The Ring. 2019-08-24. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
- ^ "Casimero Crushes Zolani Tete in Three, Captures WBO Title". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ Donovan, Jake. "Inoue: When Time Comes, I'll Remind Casimero In Ring Of Everything He Had To Say About Me". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
- ^ "Casimero vs Micah - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ Idec, Keith. "Guillermo Rigondeaux-John Riel Casimero Set For August 14 On Showtime". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
- ^ Idec, Keith. "Donaire Replaces Rigondeaux, To Face Casimero In 118-Pound Unification Fight August 14". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ "Nonito Donaire cancels unification fight with John Riel Casimero over insults hurled at his wife". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ "John Riel Casimero-Guillermo Rigondeaux back on after Donaire unification falls through". The Ring. 2021-07-04. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ Christ, Scott (2021-08-15). "Results and highlights: Casimero wins split decision over Rigondeaux in fight that sets record for lack of action". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
- ^ "Casimero bests Rigondeaux in low action fight". ESPN.com. 2021-08-15. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
- ^ "Casimero off to Miami".
External links[]
- Boxing record for John Riel Casimero from BoxRec
- John Riel Casimero - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings at Box.Live
| Sporting positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World boxing titles | ||||
| Vacant Title last held by Kermin Guardia
|
WBO light flyweight champion Interim title December 19, 2009 - July 24, 2010 |
Succeeded by | ||
| New title | IBF light flyweight champion Interim title February 10, 2012 - July 20, 2012 Promoted |
Vacant Title next held by Milan Melindo
| ||
| Preceded by Ulises Solís
Stripped |
IBF light flyweight champion July 20, 2012 - May 2, 2014 Stripped |
Vacant Title next held by Javier Mendoza
| ||
| Preceded by | IBF flyweight champion May 25, 2016 - December 20, 2016 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Donnie Nietes
| ||
| Vacant Title last held by Zolani Tete
|
WBO bantamweight champion Interim title April 20 – November 30, 2019 Won world title |
Vacant | ||
| Preceded by Zolani Tete
|
WBO bantamweight champion November 30, 2019 - present |
Incumbent | ||
- 1990 births
- Living people
- Light-flyweight boxers
- Flyweight boxers
- Super-flyweight boxers
- World light-flyweight boxing champions
- World flyweight boxing champions
- International Boxing Federation champions
- World Boxing Organization champions
- People from Ormoc
- Boxers from Leyte (province)
- People from Mandaue
- Filipino male boxers