John Riel Casimero explodes on Duke Micah for round 3 TKO

John Riel Casimero successfully defended his WBO bantamweight title against Duke Micah by TKO in 3. They started and ended the fight in a flurry. 

John Riel Casimero and Duke Micah got the action started on the undercard of the Charlo Twins pay-per-view doubleheader on Saturday, Sept. 26. Micah was undefeated but inexperienced, and Casimero exploited his lack of boxing wisdom.

Casimero’s WBO bantamweight title was on the line. He won the interim belt via 12th round KO of Ricardo Espinoza Franco in April of2019 and won the full title against Zolani Tete in November of 2019 by TKO in 3.

Casimero (30-4, 21 KOs) and Micah (24-1, 19 KOs) got into action quickly in round 1. They traded punches at close quarters, with each scoring. Casimero devoted most of his shots to Micah’s body, but Micah delivered a few of his own.

Within the last 20 seconds, Micah caught Casimero with a hard right cross, but Casimero returned with his own in the remaining seconds.

Micah was more aggressive to start round 2, but Casimero engaged him as well. Casimero dropped Micah with a left hook, right cross combination. Micah’s legs were gone, and Casimero punished him with left uppercuts. Somehow, Micah stayed in the fight and on his feet, although his legs never looked recovered. Micah remained in a high guard for the last 30 seconds while eating shot after shot. It was a brutal round for Micah.

The referee had the doctor inspect Micah before the start of round 3. He allowed the fight to continue, and the round began.

Micah’s legs still looked bad, but he kept winging punches. Finally, Casimero unleashed a left and right uppercut that connected, and the referee saw enough. Casimero won by TKO in round 3.

It was a decisive victory that ups Casimero’s stock. Micah has talent, but he wasn’t ready for a fighter on Casimero’s level. The Charlo twins were the main attraction, but Casimero delivered some dynamite of his own.