Paul Butler left reeling at news of John Riel Casimero’s withdrawal
John Riel Casimero’s WBO bantamweight title defence against Paul Butler is off
Defending WBO bantamweight champion John riel Casimero, according to his cutman Stephen Lunas’ Facebook page, has been suffering from viral gastritis. However, rumours have also circulated that the fiery Filipino star was struggling to make the 118-pound weight limit.
Another rumour was that former two-time bantamweight titleholder Joseph Agbeko was about to step in as a very late replacement for Casimero.
“It’s hugely disappointing that Paul isn’t fighting Casimero because training camp has gone really well,” Butler’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, told The Ring.
“What I find weird is that the kid pulls out and the guy Paul was supposed to fight in an eliminator months back is already here and ready to step into the fight. It’s a bit like the Olympics; you just turn up and whoever you draw, that’s it.
“Agbeko missed weight the first time and had to go a run in order to make weight. That fight is on at the moment, but we’re all waiting to see if the WBO are going to sanction it for the title.”
Butler and Agbeko were penciled in to contest a WBO title eliminator in June but the bout fell through. While Butler is perfectly willing to face Agbeko on Saturday night at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
“Paul has said if there’s no world title there’s no fight,” confirmed Gallagher. “He’s fully locked and loaded into fighting for a world title and getting back on the plane as a two-time world champion.
“If they say it’s Agbeko in a 10-rounder or it’s for an interim, that’s of no intertest to Paul – we’re here to win a world title. Casimero couldn’t make weight, so hopefully they strip him and make the [Agbeko] fight for the vacant world title. That’s what we’re here for.”
Butler (33-2, 15 KOs) is rated No. 1 by the WBO at bantamweight. Agbeko (38-5, 28 KOs) currently resides in the No. 10 spot.
HÖRFA are proud sponsors of British Boxing News