Former three-division world champion John Riel Casimero (31-4, 21 KOs) will make his debut in the second bantamweight (up to 55.3 kg) on December 3 in Paradise City (South Korea). The Filipino veteran will face former challenger Ryo Akaho (39-2-2, 26 KOs) from Japan.
For just 32-year-old John, this will be a comeback after 16 months of inactivity. In August 2021, he defeated the legendary Guillermo Rigondeaux by split decision, once again defending the WBO bantamweight title, which Casimero had held since the fall of 2019.
Since nothing burned out with the fight against mandatory challenger Paul Butler, the Filipino was stripped of the belt.
Perhaps in the future, Casimero will have a chance to face puncher Naoi Inoue (23-0, 20 KOs), which he missed a couple of years ago due to the pandemic.
Akaho, 36, has won 13 straight home fights since being knocked out in the 2nd round by Pungluang Sor Singyu in the summer of 2015.
As part of the show, there will also be a fight in the second featherweight (up to 59 kg) between the former two-division champion Johnny Gonzalez (69-11-1, 56 KOs) from Mexico City and the Japanese Takuya Watanabe (38-11-1, 22 KOs).
Recall that in February 2022, Casimero was accused of sexual violence – he molested a minor.
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