FILE–A promotional poster for John Riel Casimero’s defense of his WBO world bantamweight title against Paul Butler. PROBELLUM
MANILA, Philippines—Paul Butler didn’t mince his words toward John Riel Casimero after the Filipino boxing champion violated medical guidelines that scuppered their scheduled world title bout again.
It’s the second time in four months that the fight between Butler and Casimero hit a snag. The two were originally scheduled to meet in the ring in December but Casimero was a no-show at the official weigh-in, claiming he suffered from gastritis.
“This time to be honest with you, it hasn’t shocked me in the slightest,” Butler said in an interview with Probellum posted Wednesday. “It did in Dubai. I was the only one in Dubai who made weight, and it shocked me he didn’t. This time, it hasn’t fazed me in the slightest.”
“He’s (Casimero) a pure rat. Everything he does in life is just horrible. He’s wanted in the Philippines for charges out there. He does that in Dubai… And then this again. He’s just childish to be honest with you.”
Broadcast YouTube???????
— Dietmar Meyer (@meyerdietmar631) April 20, 2022
Rising Filipino bantamweight Jonas Sultan has been tapped by the WBO to step in and fight Butler for the WBO interim title on Saturday in Liverpool, England.
Casimero, who is facing a case of Acts of Lasciviousness and RA 7610 filed by a minor two months ago in Taguig, breached a medical policy by the British Boxing Board of Control for using a sauna to make weight before a fight.
A video of Casimero using a sauna was posted on his own YouTube channel.
“He’s filming everything. I mean, If you’re gonna go in the sauna, keep it discreet. Don’t let anyone see what you’re doing.
The incident could cost Casimero his WBO crown. He has been ordered by the WBO to present a show cause within the next 48 hours.
“They (WBO) should do exactly what they said should do eight weeks ago. Any problems with Casimero, strip him and I box Sultan for the title. That’s exactly what should happen,” Butler said.
Casimero has not made an official statements or posted updates on his social media pages, which he frequently updates.
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