John Riel Casimero earns unanimous decision nod over Nghitumbwa to snatch WBO super bantamweight title

Former three-division world champion John Riel Casimero emerged victorious via unanimous decision in his homecoming bout against Fillipus Nghitumbwa to snatch the WBO global super bantamweight title on Saturday at Okada Manila in Paranaque.

Casimero came out swinging in the opening seconds of the bout reducing Nghitumbwa to a shell at times. Nghitumbwa was on the attack in round two, utilizing his jab and right straight that found its target forcing Casimero to fight backward.

Casimero landed big shots in round three but was never able to put his visiting foe in serious trouble. He attempted to land big shots the following round but Nghitumbwa managed to dictate the tempo. Casimero slowed down in round 5, throwing one big punch at a time while Nghitumbwa stuck to his jab and patented right straight.

Casimero landed a monster left hook on top in the opening seconds of round 6 that sent Nghitumbwa crashing to the canvas. The South African was able to beat the count and bravely fought until the end of the stanza.

Nghitumbwa looked fully recovered in round 7, going back to his jab and right hand that landed clean on Casimero. Casimero showed second wind in round 9 as he came out swining after the break.

Nghitumbwa was composed, never allowing the Filipino to build momentum. Casimero went to the head and body in round 10 while Nghitumbwa stuck to his jab outworking and outlanding the former throughout the stanza.

Nghitumbwa again came out fresh in round 11. Casimero tried to make the fight a brawl but Nghitumbwa refused to engage and even stunned the Filipino with a clean right hand.

Casimero fought with urgency and poured everything he has in the twelfth and final round. Nghitumbwa was undeterred and landed punches that caught Casimero. A rabbit punch from Nghitumba resulted in a point deduction as fighters fought on until the bell.

All three judges saw the fight for Casimero after twelve rounds. The scorecards were 116-110, 116-110, and 114-112 improving Casimero's record to 33-4 with 22 knockouts. Nghitumbwa, on the other hand, dropped to 12-2 with 11 knockouts.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News