John Riel Casimero proved again that he is one of the game’s best finishers. Casimero notched his sixth-consecutive knockout win and successfully retained his WBO World Bantamweight title via vicious third-round stoppage over Ghana’s Duke Micah.
“I worked hard and got the win tonight,” Casimero said afterward. “In the first round I saw the body shot hurt him and thought I could get him out right away, but he’s a good boxer who was undefeated for a reason.”
A hard right by Micah toward the end of the first may have been a major reason why Casimero didn’t press advantage. Micah started the second strong but his momentum was halted by a hard left hook from Casimero. Micah immediately lost control of his legs. He never regained them.
Casimero poured it on, driving Micah to the canvas with a beautiful left uppercut. The Ghanaian gamely rose to his feet, stumbling around as Casimero sought to close the show.
“The second round the uppercut hurt him, but Duke Micah works hard, he’s strong and has a good chin,” said Casimero. “I knew I was facing a good fighter, so I didn’t expect to knock him out so fast. He’s strong so I was prepared to go all 12 rounds.”
Micah escaped the second but when another left hand staggered him again, referee Steve Willis stepped in and rescued him at 0:54 of the third round.
