John Riel Casimero has been knocked off of his World Boxing Organization bantamweight title defense against Paul Butler.
Probellum, the promoter of the bout that was supposed to take place at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai tomorrow, revealed that Casimero (31-4) missed weight.
Butler (33-2) will now face Ghanan (38-5).
“John Riel Casimero has had to pull out of tomorrow’s fight with Paul Butler after being unable to make it to the weigh-in,” read the statement of the promotion.
“We wish him a speedy recovery.”
Casimero’s cutman Stephen Lunas bared that Casimero struggled to even make it to the weigh-in as he is suffering from a gastral illness.
“Viral gastritis sucks, but first and foremost the health of an athlete is more important than the sport itself,” read his Facebook post.
Casimero’s status as world champion has yet to be disclosed by the WBO.
