Casimero set to defend WBO title in April

John Riel Casimero will defend his WBO world bantamweight title in front of challenger Paul Butler’s home crowd at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, on April 22.

The pair were set to meet in Dubai in December, but the bout was postponed at short notice when Filipino Casimero failed to turn up for the weigh-in after he had been struck down by viral gastritis.

Three-weight world champion Casimero (31-4, 21 KOs), 32, who is No. 3 in ESPN’s latest divisional rankings for 118 pounds, is already training in Cebu in his native Philippines in preparation for the mandatory title defence.

President of promoter Probellum Richard Schaefer, which stages the event, said: “Liverpool is one of the most passionate boxing cities in the world and we are delighted to be holding our first show at the M&S Bank Arena in April.”

Butler (33-2, 15 KOs), 33, from Merseyside, England, has compiled seven wins since losing on points to Emmanuel Rodriguez in 2018 while Casimero edged a split decision against 40-year-old Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux in his last bout in August.

The McGrail brothers, Peter (2-0, 1 KO), 25, and Joe (1-0, 1 KO), 19, box on the undercard.