WORLD Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero faces Englishman Paul Butler on Friday for the third defense of his belt in a 12-rounder organized by Probellum Promotions at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.
Casimero, 33, arrived in London three days ago and is doing his best with trainer Stephen Lunas to meet the 118-pound weight limit before the formal weigh-in later this week.
Casimero was supposed to fight Butler (33-2 win-loss record with 15 knockouts) last December 11 in Dubai, but he didn’t make the weight because of a reported viral gastritis. The WBO, after an investigation, gave him a second chance and rescheduled the fight.
If Casimero doesn’t make weight anew for whatever reason, he will be automatically stripped of the title.
Videos from Casimero’s social media account showed that the Ormoc City boxer is in shape for the fight.
BusinessMirror learned that WBO International bantamweight champion Jonas Sultan is also in London as a possible substitute fighter if Casimero (31-4 record with 21 knockouts) fail the weight anew.
Casimero is coming off a split decision win over Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux last August 14 in Carson, California.