WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casemiro has been forced to pull out of facing Paul Butler for the second time in the space of a few months. As a result, Casemiro’s Filipino countryman Jonas Sultan (18-5, 11 KOs) has been mandated to step in to fight Butler (35-2, 15 KOs) for the WBO interim bantamweight world title on Friday at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena.
The British Boxing Board of Control will not allow Casimero to fight due to 1) Casimero using a sauna to lose weight in close proximity to the fight, which is against BBBofC rules, and 2) since arriving in UK, Casimero lost ten pounds in only three days.
Casimero has 48 hours to “show cause” why he shouldn’t be stripped.
Losing 10 pounds in 3 days is an atrocity, and even though he was still overweight. I think Casimero and his handlers should be unnder investigation about this, because is a enormous risk that could lead to even death.
There is no way they aren’t going to strip him now. He missed the last fight because he got sick right before and I think he tried to fight an exhibition like a few weeks later anyway. Sounds like he needs to move up in weight. Jonas Sultan is an excellent replacement. He’s ranked fourth, had a good win last time out and he’s the last person to beat Casimero.
Maybe this will catapult “The Sultan” to super stardom. John Riel. What a pal.