John Riel Casimero scores a TKO win over Japanese foe

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Now that was the John Riel Casimero that everyone knew.

More assertive, more calculated with his power punches, and more decisive with his combinations, the former three-division world champion pulled off a successful boxing comeback after bagging a technical knockout (TKO) win over Japan’s Tom Mizokoshi on Dec. 27, 2025, at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan.

With the win, Casimero officially bounced back from a disappointing loss two months ago, when Kyonosuke Kameda of Japan ended his 11-fight winning streak.

The slugfest began with Mizokoshi coming out aggressively as he targeted Casimero’s midsection and hunted for a series of exchanges in the middle of the ring.

Although the Japanese pug hit Casimero with a couple of counterpunches, the Filipino superstar retaliated with a clinical jab showcase, scoring four consecutive punches to end the opener on a high note.

Casimero gained more momentum midway through the second round as he found his desired hitting distance with a barrage of left hooks.

When Mizokoshi ran away as he felt Casimero’s power, the more experienced former world champion banked on his fluid footwork to close the gap and rain down more power punches.

Mizokoshi attempted to steal Round 3 when he pinned Casimero on the ropes, but most of his haymakers were a waste of energy due to his inefficient counterpunching.

All hell broke loose in the fifth and final round when Casimero got more comfortable throwing the lead hook, followed by an uppercut combination that caught the Japanese off guard.

The winning moment came in the final two minutes of the round, when Casimero landed a vicious, staggering left hook that dropped Mizokoshi.

Despite beating the eight-second count, the official match referee decided to stop the fight due to the accumulated damage Mizokoshi received from the opening round through the fifth frame.

With the win, Casimero ended his 2025 fighting calendar with a victory, improving to 35 wins, 24 knockouts, and five defeats.