Not to be overshadowed by Vasiliy Lomachenko versus Richard Commey, bantamweight sluggers John Riel Casimero and Paul Butler will be fighting for the former’s WBO bantamweight title at 118 pounds. Casimero (31-4-0, 21 KOs) has been lined at eye-popping boxing odds that if Butler (33-2-0, 15 KOs) finds a way to win, it could be this year’s biggest upset.
- Date: Saturday, 12 p.m. ET
- Venue: Coca Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Watch on: Probellum
Casimero vs Butler: Putting on a Show
Ignore the online sports betting odds because this one should be fun for as long as it lasts. Both Casimero and Butler are little monsters that march forward and sling heavy leather. In the champion’s case, he should be looking to return to putting on a show. His last bout, a split decision win over Guillermo Rigondeaux, was a snoozefest.
As for Butler, he has everything to gain and nothing to lose. He may be outgunned here, but he knows his only path to victory is to take the fight to Casimero. That is something he can do.
The REVOLUTION begins.. Probellum’s Inaugural Show Announced! @SunnyEdwards vs Jayson Mama @casimerojr vs @1PaulButler
December 11 | @cocacolaarena, Dubai
Details: https://t.co/tDLDEyl70b
Tickets: https://t.co/jgvFaU9deo#ProbellumRevolution pic.twitter.com/7D0reZN9tL— Probellum (@probellum) November 9, 2021
Enigmatic Butler Could Be a Dog
Not much is known of the mandatory challenger, which can play to his advantage. Sure, he is mostly known for unflattering events such as missing weight and being beaten against Emmanuel Rodriguez. But since then, he has won seven in a row. Butler is getting a second chance and is making the most of it.
Against Casimero, Butler has no illusions about who he’s fighting: a ferocious puncher who is fast and powerful not unlike a recently retired legend from the same nation.
“I wouldn’t go as far as saying Casimero is the next Manny Pacquiao or anything,” Butler said in an interview with ESPN. “But he hits hard and I know I’m up against it. I’ve got to be at my best to beat him.”
With a lengthy training camp and a “never say die” mentality heading to the fight, the 33-year-old from Merseyside, England is ready to fight for that elusive title.
Casimero to Get Back to Dominating
Betting online on Casimero has usually been a fruitful endeavor and he may have won his last bout, but no one was impressed. Casimero can usually be depended upon for an exciting bout – his last six fights prior to Rigondeaux all ended in a knockout – but he could not deliver.
It was mostly not his fault as the Cuban challenger was backpedaling and staring for the most part.
“I’m focused on knockout, but Rigondeaux always runs. Rigondeaux just always runs. No fighting,” Casimero criticized his challenger at the post-fight interview. The pair broke the CompuBox record for the fewest punches landed in total in a 12-round fight.
Casimero then set his sights on fighting the other champions to unify the belts. He’s already had a spat with his fellow Filipino, WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire and he called out Naoya Inoue, the WBA (Super), IBF, and The Ring champion.
But Casimero will not overlook someone like Butler. He knows he needs to get not only get past him but return to his dominating ways to get the attention of Inoue or Donaire and the promoters. Come Saturday, look for Casimero to deliver another vintage performance.
