By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Johnriel Casimero is once again champion of the boxing world after earning a unanimous decision victory over Namibian foe Filipus Nghitumbwa to nab the World Boxing Organization (WBO) global super bantamweight title last May 13, 2023, held at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom in Parañaque.
It was as if Casimero never took a long lay-off since fighting Japanese veteran Ryo Akaho last December 2022.
The former super bantamweight top contender was on-point from the get-go and showed an improved defense after displaying his fluid head movement.
Aside from that department, the controversial superstar also posed quick footwork that kept the Namibian boxer guessing for the whole 12 rounds.
Casimero started the slugfest with efficient jabs followed by his signature left bombs that put him ahead in the scorecards after the first half of the fight.
The biggest highlight then came in the sixth round when Casimero scored a knockdown when he dropped Nghitumbwa with a vicious left hook counter.
With only six seconds in after the bell, Casimero swung a perfectly-timed left hook counter when the Namibian chose to trade punches in close range.
However, Nghitumbwa was successful in getting up and even retaliated with a set of combos but Casimero applied the much-needed pressure with hopes of finishing the Namibian via way of knockout.
Casimero never got his wish after sending in a flurry of punches when Nghitumbwa showed his tough chin and resiliency in the last 50 seconds of round six.
It was then all Casimero in the next rounds as the Filipino heavy-hitter dominated the scorecards with ease.
The first two judges scored the bout 116-110 in favor of the Filipino while the other had it a close contest when he scored 114-112.
With the win, Casimero will be looking to chase the top dogs in the super bantamweight division and will look to resurrect his career after getting stripped off his title last year.
