The future of Filipino boxing shone brightly in Japan as rising star Kenneth Llover capped off his 2025 campaign with a devastating knockout victory. The event also saw the successful return of veteran champion Johnriel Casimero, making it a triumphant night for Philippine boxing on foreign soil.
Llover's Dominant Display Ends in Second-Round Stoppage
Kenneth Llover needed less than two rounds to dispatch China's Ayati Sailike at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan, on Saturday, December 27, 2025. The 22-year-old phenom from the Philippines showcased his power early, hurting Sailike multiple times in the opening round with a series of vicious punches.
The end came decisively in the second round. Llover set up the finish with a sharp right hook to the head. He then followed with a punishing right hook-left hook combination before delivering the final blow: a crushing left straight to the body that sent Sailike to the canvas.
Although Sailike beat the referee's count, Llover showed no mercy. He immediately swarmed his wounded opponent with heavy shots, culminating in a fight-ending left hook. The official time of the stoppage was 2:07 of the second round.
Undefeated Record and World Title Path
With this impressive win, Kenneth Llover remains perfect, improving his professional record to 17 wins with no losses. Remarkably, 12 of those victories have come by way of knockout. His opponent, Ayati Sailike, saw his record fall to 12-10-3.
More importantly, this victory solidifies Llover's position as a legitimate world title contender. He is currently ranked:
- No. 5 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF)
- No. 9 by the World Boxing Council (WBC)
- No. 10 by the World Boxing Association (WBA)
All these rankings are in the competitive bantamweight division, putting him on the cusp of a major world championship opportunity.
Casimero Bounces Back with Commanding TKO
On the same card, former four-division world champion Johnriel Casimero returned to the winner's circle. The 36-year-old Filipino veteran displayed his class and experience against Japan's Tom Mizokoshi in a scheduled eight-round bout.
Casimero controlled the fight from the opening bell, methodically breaking down his 26-year-old opponent. He busted Mizokoshi's nose in the second round, causing significant bleeding. The dominance continued until the fifth round, where Casimero landed a powerful left hook-right hook combination that sent Mizokoshi to the floor.
Mizokoshi rose to his feet, but the referee wisely waved off the contest at the 1:10 mark, awarding Casimero a technical knockout victory. This win was a crucial rebound for Casimero, who had suffered a loss to Kyonosuke Kameda in Japan just two months prior. His record now stands at 35-5-1 with 24 knockouts.
What's Next for the Filipino Fighters?
Following his victory, Johnriel Casimero immediately set his sights on a big-name opponent, calling out former champion Luis Nery. While Casimero's long career at the elite level may be winding down, a fight against the highly-rated Nery at 126 pounds presents a golden opportunity. An upset win could propel the seasoned Filipino back into the world featherweight rankings.
For Kenneth Llover, the path is clear: continue his ascent toward a world title shot. His unbeaten record, high knockout ratio, and steadily improving rankings make him one of the most exciting prospects in Philippine boxing today. The knockout in Japan was a statement win that will undoubtedly attract the attention of top contenders and champions in the bantamweight division.
The double victory in Japan underscores the depth of talent in Philippine boxing, from established veterans seeking one more run to young stars announcing their arrival on the world stage.
