By REYNALD MAGALLON
John Riel Casimero made a successful homecoming, dethroning Filipus Nghitumbwa of Namibia via a close unanimous decision win to take the WBO Global super bantamweight title at the Okada Manila in Paranaque City on Saturday, May 13.
One judge scored the bout, 114-112, while the other two had a 116-112 scorecard in favor of Casimero who fought in front of a Filipino crowd for the first time since 2019.
Casimero improved to a 33-4 record, 22 by KOs while Nghitumbwa fell to a 12-2, including 11 by KOs.
“Di ko akalain na ganun sya katibay, akala ko round 2, round 3 duon na matatapos pero pinakita niya talaga ‘yung sinabi niya na lalaban siya sa akin ng suntukan so sobrang tibay ng kalaban natin,” said Casimero who earlier promised a knockout finish to the fight.
The now four-time world champion did try to end the match in the early rounds with the Filipino hard-hitter dictating the fight with heavy hits to the body and head.
Nghitumbwa though showed resistance, engaging Casimero IN vicious exchanges before the latter delivered a booming left hook that sent the former down to the canvas in the sixth round.
Nghitumbwa, though, mustered enough strength to survive despite the wobbly feet before still posing some threat to a seemingly gassed out Casimero in the latter rounds, all thanks to the sharp jabs and solid counter punching.
The effort, however, proved to be futile in the end with Nghitumbwa even getting slapped with a point deduction after a rabbit punch in the 12th round.
Heeding to the chants of the Filipino crowd inside the venue, Casimero declared that he’ll be eyeing a clash against Japanese champion Naoya Inoue for his next fight.
