John Riel "Quadro Alas" Casimero of the Philippines became the country's latest world boxing champion after stopping the defending and undefeated champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand via a fourth round technical knockout to win the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Flyweight title at the Diamond Stadium in Beijing, China on Wednesday.

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Casimero, who is a former IBF and WBO Interim World Light Flyweight titlist, pulled through the solid second and third rounds from the 36-year-old Thai pugilist. Ruenroeng, who won the IBF title against the Filipino boxer Rocky Fuentes in January 2012 via a unanimous decision, seemed to be dominating the scorecards in the early rounds of the world title bout.

However, Casimero, 26,  connected heavy punches in the fourth round that sent the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championship bronze medalist down to the canvass twice. Casimero exploded with a short right to the jaw of Ruenroeng to score the first knockdown before a ferocious left hook to the belly of the defending champ. Veteran referee Tony Weeks counted ten before announcing a clean knockout at 2:10 of round four.

With the victory, the newly crowned Filipino boxing champion improves to 22 wins, 3 losses with 14 victories coming by a way of knockouts and has established himself a two-division world champion.  On the other hand, Ruenroeng, who has a career record of 18 professional bouts, suffered his first defeat.

Before his loss to Casimero, Ruenroeng victoriously defended his title against the Japanese Kazuto Ioka, Puerto Rican McWilliams Arroyo and former Olympic gold medalist from China Zou Shiming.

Casimero joins the list of current Filipino world champions that includes World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight titleholder Donnie Nietes and WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr.

According to The Manila Times, Casimero would most likely face the undefeated World Boxing Council Nicaraguan champion Roman Gonzalez (45-0 record with 38 knockouts) in a unification fight.

Tagsjohn riel casimero, IBF, Amnat Ruenroeng, zhou shiming, nonito donaire jr.