GAB to launch investigation on Casimero's canceled title defense

The Games and Amusements Board will launch an independent investigation surrounding John Riel Casimero’s canceled world title defense against Paul Butler.

Casimero was supposed to defend his WBO world bantamweight title against the Englishman on April 23 in Liverpool but the fight was called off after he violated a British Boxing Board of Control policy prohibiting fighters to use a sauna to make weight for a fight.

The development paved way for another Filipino fighter in Jonas Sultan to step in and fight Paul Butler instead for the WBO interim bantamweight title.

“Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Baham Mitra instructed the agency’s boxing and other contact sports division to conduct an independent investigation on the alleged medical guidelines violations of Filipino professional boxer John Riel Casimero,” GAB said in a statement.

“As the country’s pro boxing regulatory agency, we strongly condemn and discourage the commission of any illegal acts or violation of boxing rules. We will surely look into this and summon Mr. Casimero and his team to shed light on the issue,” GAB chairman Baham Mitra said.

Furthermore, Casimero was given by the WBO 48 hours to explain why he should not be stripped of his world title. If stripped of his belt, the fight between Sultan and Butler could be elevated to a world title fight. — LA, GMA News