WBO Orders Negotiation For John Riel Casimero Vs. Paul Butler

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has ordered teams of John Riel Casimero and Paul Butler to begin talks for the title fight.

The sanctioning body wants both sides to reach an agreement in the coming 20 days to avoid the purse bid.

Casimero (31-4, 21 KO) will be the firm favorite entering this fight.

The WBO titlist is coming off a comprehensive win against Guillermo Rigondeaux. While Casimero got away with a split-decision win, the fans were not very pleased with the fight as it lacked action.

Both boxers kept distancing from each other and lacked an aggressive approach. After the win, Casimero’s team began their hunt for a bout with fellow titlists Nonito Donaire and Naoya Inoue.

The boxer wanted to square off against Donaire or Inoue in December, but Donaire was ordered to box Reymart Gaballo next and Inoue didn’t seem interested in a fight.

This meant that Casimero will have to face his mandatory challenger instead.

Despite being the favorite, Casimero cannot underestimate Butler’s skills. The veteran flaunts a 33-2 win-loss record. He earned a split-decision victory over late substitute Willibaldo Garcia in his last fight.

He was scheduled to fight Joseph Agbeko, but the latter pulled out of the title eliminator due to visa issues.