Casimero replaced from Butler fight for violation of British boxing board's medical guidelines; Sultan steps in

John Riel Casimero will not be allowed to defend his WBO world bantamweight title against Paul Butler after a violation of the British Boxing Board of Control’s (BBBoC) policy on the prohibition of the use of sauna to cut weight before a fight.

Casimero, 33, was originally scheduled to defend his strap against Butler on April 22 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.

With Casimero out of the picture, the WBO announced that Filipino prizefighter Jonas Sultan will take his place in what would be a WBO interim bantamweight title fight with Butler.

“The British Boxing Board of Control have been made aware (with supporting evidence) that Mr. Casimero had made use of a sauna in close proximity to his World Boxing Organisation Championship contest on 22nd April 2022 in Liverpool,” BBBofC wrote in an official document released by the World Boxing Organization.

“As you are aware, this is against the BBBofC’s medical guidelines and therefore we cannot permit him to compete in the proposed contest on Friday. For your additional advice, Mr. Casimero has completed two check weights with BBBofC Inspectors since arriving in the UK. These check weights have shown an alarming reduction in weight of 10lbs in only three days.”

Casimero was required to tip the scale at 118 pounds for the official weigh-in.

Casimero has also been ordered by the sanctioning body to explain why he should not be stripped of the title within 48 hours.

The document stated that there had been previous resolutions that said the title would be declared vacant if Casimero "is injured, suffers an injury, refuses to fight, or is unavailable to participate, fight or engage for any reason whatsoever".

—JMB, GMA News