John Riel Casimero out of Dubai card, but remains the WBO bantamweight champ

John Riel Casimero will not be fighting this weekend against number one contender Paul Butler but remains the WBO world bantamweight champion amid reports that broke out yesterday citing Casimero failed to make weight for the upcoming fight at the Coca-Cola Stadium in Dubai.

The World Boxing Organization, however, clarified that the Ormoc City native was rushed to the hospital at 2:00 AM meaning he never made it to the official weigh-in to begin with.

“The WBO confirmed receipt of email correspondence on behalf of Probellum’s Chief Legal Officer, Mr. Harrison Whitman indicating that approximately at 2:00 a.m. local time in Dubai, UAE, you were admitted to the American Hospital Dubai in Dubai, UAE,” the WBO wrote in a document addressed to Casimero and published on their website.

“Upon admission a team member of your camp named Mr. Stephen Lunas Jr., confirmed to Mr. Whitman via text messages through the 'WhatsApp' chat application that you were unable to participate in the schedule WBO Bantamweight Championship bout against Paul Butler on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE.”

With Casimero out of the picture, Probellum rushed to find a late replacement and was able to tap former world champion Joseph Agbeko.

The promotion then moved to have the WBO sanction a world title fight between Butler and Agbeko but was only granted an interim title fight.

“Mr. Whitman seeks authorization to grant sanction approval for the WBO Bantamweight Championship Title between Butler & Agbeko,” said WBO.

“Having considered the aforementioned circumstances, and the conditions stated in the Casimero/Butler purse bid proceeding minutes dated Thursday, October 7, 2021, this Committee will authorize sanction for an Interim WBO Bantamweight Championship Contest of Butler/Agbeko.”

Casimero, for his part, has been told by the World Boxing Organization to submit a medical certification coming from the hospital he was admitted to in the next 10 days.

A failure to comply with this requirement would result in his vacating the title and the winner of the interim title bout then being elevated to full status as champion.

—JMB, GMA News