Veteran analyst explains WBO's conditions for allowing Casimero to keep world title

The World Boxing Organization has added stiff conditions for allowing John Riel Casimero to keep his WBO world bantamweight title following a mandatory title defense against Paul Butler that was called off last December 11 in Dubai.

Casimero, 32, was sent to the hospital before the official weigh-in for his fight against Butler because of viral gastritis. The incident prompted the WBO to ask for a medical certificate which Team Casimero was able to produce.

The major sanctioning body accepted the Filipino fighter's explanation on why he had to pull out of the fight at the last minute but gave harsh stipulations for his next world title defense.

"There are many conditions attached to WBO's decision to let Casimero hold onto the bantamweight title," said veteran boxing analyst Ed Tolentino.

"Probellum was given fifteen days to redo the fight between Casimero and Paul Butler. According to WBO based on the resolution, the fight cannot be canceled because it is a mandatory defense. Casimero's last two fights were voluntary defenses."

And while the WBO looked considerate for allowing Casimero to hold to his title, he was also placed in a situation where he cannot afford not to show up for his next bout regardless of the reason according to Tolentino.

"If the fight gets made and Casimero did not make it to the weigh-in for whatever reason, he will be stripped. Second, if he gets injured before the fight, legitimate or not, he will be stripped. And should he get stripped of the title his record will be reviewed and his ranking deliberated again."

—MGP, GMA News