John Riel Casimero shocks Zolani Tete, wins WBO bantamweight world title

After losing the first two rounds, John Riel Casimero landed two right hooks to the temple in round three to win the WBO bantamweight world championship Saturday night at Arena Birmingham in Birmingham, Eng.

The time was 2:14 seconds into round three.

Tete, who lost his title in his fourth defense, jabbed extensively in the opening stanza. Casimero, with disadvantage in height and reach, tried to land bodyshots.

Most didn’t.

In round two, Tete continued to control the landscape. Casimero (29-4, 20 KOs) couldn’t do much except fire occasional hooks. He was patient and waiting for his opportunity to pounce.

That would happen in the next round.

Tete (28-4, 21 KOs) continued to box, as the British crowd sat on their hands. Casimero, a former two-division champion at flyweight, jumped inside with a double jab that surprised Tete.

Seconds later a shot right from a different angle bent Tete at the waist. Casimero fired a another right that crashed off the left side of Tete’s head. Tete went down and barely beat the count. He was obviously hurt, with legs that couldn’t hold him.

He wobbled as Casimero went after him-firing shots from the Philippines. Tete went down again, his eyes glassy. He staggered up, but another Casimero onslaught convinced the referee to wave off the contest.