Casimero scores TKO

MANILA, Philippines — John Riel Casimero, a former three-division world champion, made up for missing the super-bantamweight limit of 122 pounds by scoring a first-round stoppage of American Saul Sanchez in Yokohama, Japan last Sunday.

The 35-year-old Casimero, who once held world titles at junior-flyweight, flyweight and bantamweight, floored Sanchez, 27, twice – with a right and a left – and was going for the kill when the referee stopped the fight with 20 seconds left in the opening round.

Casimero was a monster in his return bout, and improved his record to 34-4-1 with 23 knockouts while Sanchez dropped to 21-4.

Now, the flamboyant boxer from Leyte wants the real monster at 122 pounds, undefeated Japanese Naoya Inoue (28-0).