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After missing weight twice, Filipino boxer Johnriel Casimero finds vindication after a first-round pummeling of American Saul Sanchez in their super bantamweight bout in Japan
MANILA, Philippines – For all his faults, there’s no denying that Johnriel Casimero is a great boxer.
After missing weight twice on Saturday, October 12, the former three-division world champion got his vindication on Sunday, October 13, with a first-round demolition of American Saul Sanchez in their super bantamweight clash at the Yokohama Budokan in Yokohama, Japan.
Taking a little time to size up his 27-year-old opponent, Casimero, 35, landed a barrage of punches, capped by a right hook that wobbled Sanchez, who touched the canvas with his gloves and was given the count early in the round.
Sanchez shook off the cobwebs and gamely traded hard punches, that proved to be a big mistake as Casimero sneaked in a solid left hook that flattened the American.
Incredibly, Sanchez got up but Casimero pounced on him with crisp punches that finally forced the referee to stop the lopsided bout at the 2-minute and 41-second mark.
Right after the stoppage, Casimero did his customary one-hand pushups, signifying his readiness to challenge for another world crown next year.
Casimero, who first checked in at 56.3 kilos and finally 55.9 kg after two hours, raised his record to 34 wins, with 23 knockouts, 4 losses and 1 draw.
Sanchez fell to 21-4 with 12 knockouts.
It was Casimero’s first fight a year after a technical draw with Japanese Yukinori also in Japan. – Rappler.com
