Veteran Filipino boxing star Johnriel Casimero emphatically ended his brief losing skid with a dominant performance on foreign soil. The four-division world champion scored a technical knockout victory over Japan's Tom Mizokoshi in the fifth round of their scheduled eight-round bout.
A Dominant Return to Form
The fight took place on December 27, 2025, at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan. From the opening bell, the 36-year-old Casimero demonstrated a significant experience gap over his 26-year-old opponent. He methodically broke down Mizokoshi with precise and powerful punches, controlling the pace and distance of the fight.
Casimero's dominance became visually apparent in the second round when a series of punches busted open Mizokoshi's nose, causing it to bleed profusely for the remainder of the round. The Japanese fighter showed heart but struggled to handle the former champion's power and accuracy.
The Final Sequence and Post-Fight Callout
The end came swiftly in the fifth round. Casimero landed a punishing left hook-right hook combination that sent Mizokoshi crashing to the canvas. Although Mizokoshi beat the count and rose to his feet, the referee deemed him unable to continue and waved off the contest at the 1:10 mark of the round.
This victory served as a crucial rebound for Casimero, who was coming off a loss to Kyonosuke Kameda just two months prior, also in Japan. His professional record now stands at 35 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw, with an impressive 24 of those wins coming by knockout. Mizokoshi's record fell to 11-6-2 with 5 KOs.
What's Next for the Filipino Champion?
Not wasting any time after his hand was raised, Casimero immediately set his sights on a bigger prize. He called out former champion Luis Nery, a highly-rated contender in the featherweight (126-pound) division. A fight against Nery represents a direct path back into the world rankings for Casimero.
At 36 years old, the window for Casimero to compete at an elite level is narrowing. A victory over a top-tier opponent like Nery could catapult him back into title contention and extend his remarkable career. This win in Japan proves he still possesses the skill and power to make such a high-stakes fight compelling for boxing fans in the Philippines and around the world.
