John Riel Casimero a stylistic mismatch for Japanese foe – analyst

Veteran boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino is convinced that former three-division champion John Riel Casimero would be a handful for Ryo Akaho when they meet inside the ring on December 3 at the Paradise City in Incheon, South Korea.

Casimero, 31-4 with 21 knockouts as a professional boxer, has not seen action since he defeated former world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux by split decision in August 2021. His next bout is scheduled for ten rounds at 122 pounds.

“Akaho is bigger, I think his chance is Casimero's inactivity. He would come out jabbing and I would not be surprised if he attacks early, though if he does that, the fight could end up easier for Casimero,” Tolentino said in an interview on Sparring Sessions.

“Style-wise, Akaho is tailor-made. Casimero can close the distance and hit him hard. Casimero is good at slipping jabs. I think as long as Casimero is in good condition, he has this Japanese fighter's number.”

And while Akaho (39-2-2, 26KOs) is the naturally bigger fighter between the two, Tolentino believes that the Ormoc City native would not have difficulty closing the distance against the Japanese veteran.

“Casimero is unorthodox. He does things that are not textbook. The way he traps you, the way he narrows the gap, and the way he spins you around. He can throw punches from awkward angles,” Tolentino noted.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News