Filipino banger John Riel Casimero illustrated his devastating power once more with a three-round dismantling of previously unbeaten Ghanaian Duke Micah at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Saturday night.
WBO bantamweight champion Casimero (30-4, 21 KOs) saw a unification clash with WBA Super and IBF 118lbs king Naoya Inoue fall through earlier this year due to the intervention of the Covid-19 Pandemic, but he was in no mood for hanging around.
Casimero floored Micah (24-1, 19 KOs) with a left hook in the second and battered the challenger from pillar to post in search of the finish but somehow the West African survived a feverish assault.
Before the fateful third, referee Steve Willis warned Micah that he needed to see more resistance or he would intervene. Fifty-four seconds into the round, Willis stepped in with Micah shipping more heavy punishment.
“I worked hard and got the win tonight,” said Casimero afterwards. “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.
“The second round the uppercut hurt him, but Duke Micah works hard, he’s strong and has a good chin. 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.
“I’m the real monster. Naoya Inoue is scared of me. You’re next. I would have knocked out anyone today. If Inoue doesn’t fight me, then I’ll fight Guillermo Rigondeaux, Luis Nery, or any of the top fighters.”
All photos: Amanda Westcott/Showtime.