From Champion to Question Mark: Casimero's Troubling Decline
Philippine boxing fans witnessed another disappointing chapter in John Reil Casimero's career as the former three-division world champion delivered a lackluster unanimous decision victory over Japan's Kyonosuke Kameda. The 10-round catchweight bout at 58kg in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan left many questioning whether the 36-year-old fighter from Merida, Leyte still has what it takes to compete at elite levels.
What made the performance particularly disheartening was the contrast between Casimero's pre-fight confidence and his actual ring performance. Along with his brother, Casimero had boldly challenged fans to bet on a knockout victory, only to deliver a sluggish display that failed to impress critics and supporters alike.
A Storied Career Now Under Scrutiny
Casimero's early career trajectory suggested greatness. The fighter from Merida, Leyte first announced himself on the international stage in December 2009 when he stopped César Canchila in the 11th round to claim the interim WBO light flyweight title in Nicaragua.
His momentum continued in February 2012 with a 10th-round TKO victory over Luis Alberto Lazarte for the IBF junior flyweight title, though this fight became better known for the post-fight riot that erupted ringside. Casimero successfully defended this belt three times against Pedro Guevara, Luis Alberto Rios, and Felipe Salguero.
The Filipino boxer's career highlights include:Moving up in weight to claim the IBF flyweight title with a fourth-round knockout of Amnat Ruenroeng in 2016, avenging a prior loss and becoming a two-division champion. After defending against Charlie Edwards, he captured the WBO bantamweight title with a 12th-round KO over Ricardo Espinoza Franco, followed by another KO defense against Cesar Ramirez.
Casimero's defining moment came in November 2019 when he dethroned Zolani Tete with a third-round KO in England to become a three-division world champion. He followed this with two more successful defenses against Duke Micah in 2020 and Guillermo Rigondeaux in 2021.
The Downward Spiral Begins
The cracks in Casimero's professional armor began showing in 2022 when medical concerns forced him to withdraw from a scheduled title defense. The situation worsened when he violated weight-cutting guidelines by using a sauna ahead of the rescheduled April fight, leading the WBO to strip him of his title.
Outside the ring, Casimero's behavior raised additional concerns:He faced charges of acts of lasciviousness and sexual assault stemming from an alleged 2021 incident. The boxer and his brother Jayson also engaged in a heated social media feud with sports commentator Pow Salud. In October 2024, Casimero confronted Cebuano boxing judge Edward Ligas over comments made after his TKO victory over Saul Sanchez in Yokohama, Japan.
Weight issues became a persistent problem, culminating in Casimero missing the 122-pound limit against Sanchez. This resulted in a one-year suspension from the Japan Boxing Commission, highlighting his drastic reduction in ring activity with only two fights in 2023 and one in 2024.
The Kameda Fight Fallout
Entering the Kameda bout, online critics noted that Casimero appeared to have ballooned two weight classes due to inactivity. His verbal clashes with fellow fighters and trainers, coupled with a perceived haughty attitude, further alienated supporters.
During the fight itself, Casimero seemed outclassed and unable to land his signature power shots. His sluggish performance raised serious questions about his ability to compete effectively at higher weights, with many observers blaming extended inactivity and weight management struggles.
Currently holding a record of 34-5-1, Casimero's future appears uncertain. The convergence of disciplinary lapses and off-ring distractions has taken its toll on the once-dominant fighter. As boxing legend Bernard Hopkins demonstrated throughout his career, maintaining fighting weight through strict discipline separates champions from contenders.
While there remains hope that Casimero can reverse his self-inflicted wounds, at age 36, time is running out for "Quadro Alas" to resurrect his career and professional reputation.
