John Riel Casimero looks to avenge fallen Filipinos in Akaho fight

Former three-division champion John Riel Casimero is looking to avenge his fellow Filipinos when he takes on Ryo Akaho in his super bantamweight debut on December 3 at Paradise City in Incheon, South Korea.

Casimero, 31-4 with 21 knockouts as a professional boxer, took notice that Akaho (39-2-2, 26KOs) has defeated several Filipino boxers in the past. The Japanese's latest victim was Edrin Dapudong, who he stopped in the very first round of their bout this last September.

"He had a good fight against a Filipino [that ended] in the first round. I will show my skills because he defeated many Filipinos and he has plenty of knockouts," Casimero said in an interview with A-Sign Boxing.

Casimero, who was stripped of his WBO world bantamweight title earlier this year, last saw action in August 2021 when he defeated Guillermo Rigondeaux by split decision. He said he can still go down to 118 pounds should he want to and stressed that he is ready to fight anyone at any time.

"This will be my first time at 122 [pounds] so I will do my best. If I want to go back down to 118 that would be easy. [Fighting overseas] is not new to me. Even if I fight at my opponent's house I can put him to sleep. Anytime, anywhere, I will fight," he said.

"He has knockout [power] and knocked down many boxers before so this is a good fight between us. Good luck to both of us."

—MGP, GMA News