Casimero Upsets Ruenroeng
All it took was two left hands from John Riel Casimero (22-3, 14 KOs) to lift his second world title in as many weight classes when he ruined Amnat Ruenroeng’s (17-1, 5 KOs) perfect record via a fourth-round knockout for the IBF flyweight belt.
There were two knockdowns in the fourth stanza. The first came courtesy of a stiff left hook that buzzed Ruenroeng across the chin—the same punch Casimero put the Thai down in their first fight a year ago, where Ruenroeng was at his dirtiest.
Casimero, 26, was happy to avenge that decision loss. Once can see his face light up as his man fell to the ground in the fateful round.
Ruenroeng was up to his typical crafty, punishing ways leading up to the KO. His counters from close range were incredible to see; his jab was as daunting as ever—sporting the longest arms in the division sure helps—and, of course, he managed two of his patented takedowns.
The Thai is a fascinating figure who ran through four top-10 opponents in just over two years. Three separate stints in jail followed a Muay Thai career that began when he was only 12 years old before discovering western boxing in the prison program.
The 36-year-old Ruenroeng was a reasonable favorite heading into his second encounter with Casimero. And he was proving the odds right through the first three rounds.
The Pinoy challenger found no success charging into his taller opponent as left uppercuts were eager to meet him halfway. And the defending champion brutally closed the distance with a leaping left hook.
Casimero returned the favor with a left of his own, sending his man face-first to the canvas. Ruenroeng barely beat referee Tony Weeks’ 10 count. When the Thai folded over for a second time moments later it was clear he wasn’t getting up.
The victory vaults Casimero into the Top 3 of the loaded flyweight division following his opponent’s tremendous ledger. Still in the prime of his career, he has plenty of time to secure a big unification bout.
