Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to congratulate the fighter he co-promotes (along with Philippine promoter Samson Gello-ani), former IBF junior flyweight Champion John Riel “Quadro Alas” Casimero (20-2, 13 KOs), for his sensational second-round KO over Mexico’s Armando “Cobra” Santos (14-4-1, 8 KOs) in an IBF flyweight world title elimination bout.
Fighting on Saturday night (December 13) at the Salon Las Palmas in Monterrey, Mexico, Casimero announced himself as a serious contender in the flyweight division and won the right to face Thailand’s current IBF Champ Amnat Ruenroeng (or his upcoming challenger Zou Shiming, should Shiming take the title).
The 24-year-old Casimero, who lost his IBF junior flyweight title on the scales seven months ago, declared his presence at the new weight class by clubbing the capable Santos in brutal fashion. A left hook put Santos down hard at the conclusion of round one and Casimero finished the job on the still-dazed Santos seconds into the second round.
“John Riel had a fantastic training camp with his trainer, Feliciano “Jun” Agrabio Jr., and it showed,” said Lewkowicz. “He looked unbelievably strong and powerful at the new weight and he will be impossible to beat when he is in the shape he was in tonight.”
Lewkowicz says he will wait to see the winner of Ruenroeng vs. Shiming before making his next move with his resurgent slugger, but Saturday’s performance was exactly what he needed to bring his career back to life after losing his title on the scale a short time ago.
“He has dedicated himself once again. He was having so much trouble making the weight at junior flyweight that he became discouraged. At full flyweight he can train and not starve and now we see he is as powerful as ever. Maybe even more powerful.”
