With ranking expected to go down, Casimero should immediately fight at least a tune-up — analyst

Former three-division champion John Riel Casimero should get back in the ring as soon as possible to avoid losing his place in the world rankings, according to veteran boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino.

Casimero was stripped of his WBO world bantamweight title last May when he violated a BBBofC rule that prohibits a boxer from using the sauna to cut weight. He was initially ranked as the top 1 in the division after the incident, but has since been overtaken by Jason Moloney and slipped top 2.

“With him being inactive, he would slowly go down in the ranking. It is important to get back in the ring even for a tune-up. It would be very tough for him to demand a world title shot because firstly, he is going down the ranking,” Tolentino told Sparring Sessions LIVE.

“Naoya Inoue is lording over the division and Inoue does not need him because he (Casimero) is no longer the WBO world bantamweight titlist. I do not think there is Inoue feels any urgency to fight him,” Tolentino continued.

“He needs to get back, stay in contention, and put himself in a position where he could fight Inoue when the Japanese become the undisputed champion. He is a good boxer, a former world champion, who we thought could have gone Inoue a tougher fight than Nonito Donaire Jr.”

Casimero, 31-4 with 21 knockouts as a professional boxer, last saw action against Guillermo Rigondeaux in August 2021 where he won by way of split decision. After a year of inactivity, Tolentino says it is vital for the Filipino to just fight again regardless of the opponent.

“He should fight anyone. What's important is to get back into the boxing ring because that is where he really belongs. His home is inside the boxing ring. He has to fight and sweat it out. I do not think it would do him good if he would continue his inactivity.”

—JMB, GMA News