Casimero KO’s Fuentes in 1st Round

Johnriel Casimero has kept his promise to give fans a great fight against Mauricio Fuentes when he gives out a KO against the Columbian fighter early in the 1st round, resonating the cheers on Saturday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“I didn’t expect that I will KO him (Fuentes) as early as it happens but I expect that I will defeat him on this game”, said Casimero after the bout.

Fuentes, on the otherhand, lost his chance to become a world champion that night as Casimero took care of all his business with a thunderous right hand decked at Fuentes three times. After Fuentes got up daze from the two knockdowns, a powerful right hand puts him back down during the third time in the fight that prompted Referee Gerard White to cutoff the bout at 2:59.

Casimero told Metrocebunews that he did his best in the game which made it successful, and although he lost his belt, he successfully represents the entire Philippines.

“Even though I don’t have the belt I can still say that this fight is very successful because my victory is for the Philippines”, Casimero said.

Casimero lost his IBF junior flyweight title when he weighs 5 pounds over the limit during the official weigh-in.

“There are more fights to come and that time I will be on the higher division (flyweight)”, said Casimero when asked about his plans after the game.

Casimero wants to move up to a higher division, which is the flyweight division (112 pounds), and called out the Mexican professional boxer Juan Francisco Estrada, who is the current WBA and WBO Flyweight Champion, to be the next foe.

“I want Estrada to be my next opponent to see who is really the better fighter”, Casimero enclosed.

Supporting Bouts Results

Jessie Cris Rosales won the WBO Youth Asia-Pacific featherweight title via unanimous decision against Anthony Sabalde.

Jack ‘Golden Boy’ Tepora won the WBF Asia-Pacific super bantamweight title via TKO against Joash Apericio in the 10th round.

Harmonito dela Torre won via TKO against Gadwin Tubigon in the 4th round.

Rey Labao won via TKO against Rodel Wenceslao in the 5th round.

Joey Canoy won via unanimous decision against Mark Anthony Florida.

Jessie Espinas won via unanimous decision against Philip Jun Pronco.

Jimboy Haya won via unanimous decision against Carlo Demecillo.

Edward Joaquin won via Split decision against Ronnie Tanallon.

Jumuel Lacar won via KO against Honorato Boc in the first round.

(Photo by Mary Jane Catriz)