Casimero KOs Thai foe for IBF world flyweight title

John Casimero of the Philippines, left, celebrates after beating Amnat Auenroeng of Thailand, in their IBF Flyweight Championship boxing match at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Casimero defeated Auenroeng with a fourth-round knockout to claim the IBF world title. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Johnriel Casimero knocked out reigning titlist Amnat Ruenroeng in the fourth round to recapture the IBF world flyweight crown late Wednesday at Diamond Stadium in Beijing, China.

Casimero, who hails from Ormoc, Leyte, floored his Thai foe twice in the fourth round with a left hook to stop the match at the 2:10 mark and deal Ruenroeng his first career defeat.

In their first meeting for the title in 2015, Ruenroeng dethroned Casimero in a controversial unanimous decision victory.

The two-time world champion hiked his record to 22-3, 14 KOs while Ruenroeng dropped to 17-1, 5 KOs. Celest Flores-Colina, INQUIRER.net