Filipino former champion Johnriel Casimero pulled off a stunning 12th round knockout over Ricardo Franco Espinoza to come knocking at the door of yet another world title Saturday night in Carson, California.
Casimero’s stoppage win earned him the WBO interim bantamweight title with a clear shot at the belt now being held by Zolani Tete.
The South African Tete is set to face WBA champion Nonito Donaire Jr. on April 27 in the World Boxing Super Series slated in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The Tete-Donaire fight serves as semifinal for the $10 million WBSS.
But for Casimero, who hikes his record to 24 wins, four losses and 18 knockouts, the immediate concern is how to get back to the world stage.
He rose to stardom after a spectacular 10th round KO of volatile Argentianian Luis Alberto Lazarte in Mar Del Plata in 2012. The bout ended in a riot that forced Casimero and his cornermen to hide underneath the boxing ring.