World champion’s punishment spells trouble for Chris Eubank Jr amid investigation into controversial video
John Riel Casimero’s punishment for weight-cutting with a sauna is cause for concern for Chris Eubank Jr. The Brighton boxer is currently under investigation by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) for his weight-cutting methods ahead of his instant classic with Conor Benn on Saturday night. X - Chris Eubank Jr Eubank Jr’s weight-cutting methods are under investigation[/caption] Eubank Jr missed the 160lbs middleweight limit by half an ounce, resulting in him handing over $500,000 (£375,000) to Benn. It came after a gruelling weight cut, which was recorded and uploaded to Eubank Jr’s social media. Eubank Jr could be seen dripping with sweat as he worked out in a sauna suit. He could then be heard saying, “Time to jump in the sauna,” before climbing into a heated suit to complete his weight cut. As the use of saunas is banned as a weight-cutting measure by the BBBofC, General Secretary Robert Smith is set to request more information from Eubank Jr in the coming weeks on how he shed the weight. “It is an ongoing matter,” he told Boxing Scene on Tuesday. The use of saunas has seen fights cancelled in the past by the BBBofC. The most notable example is Casimero vs Paul Butler in 2022. Casimero was due to defend his WBO bantamweight crown against mandatory challenger Butler in Liverpool. GettyCasimero vs Butler was cancelled after it was the champion had used a sauna to cut weight[/caption] AFPCasimero was stripped of his title, while Butler was elevated to full world champion[/caption] However, the fight was pulled after it was found that Casimero had used a sauna to cut weight. “The British Boxing Board of Control has been made aware (with supporting evidence) that Mr. Casimero has made use of a sauna in close proximity to his World Boxing Organization championship contest on 22nd April 2022 in Liverpool,” read a statement from BBBofC chief Smith. “As you are aware, this is against BBBoC’s medical guidelines, and therefore, we can’t permit him to compete in the proposed contest on Friday.” Casimero was subsequently stripped of the red and gold strap, while Butler was elevated to full world champion thereafter. “The Committee unanimously recommended to the WBO Executive Committee to strip John Riel Casimero’s WBO World Bantamweight Championship Title for failure to comply with the conditions set forth in its “Resolution,” Luis Batista-Salas, WBO Championship Committee chairman, in a ten-page ruling. “The WBO Executive Committee unanimously voted in favour of adopting the WBO Championship Committee’s recommendation and therefore declares the WBO Bantamweight Championship Title ‘Vacant.’ Eubank Jr is likely to receive another fine if the BBBofC find him guilty of breaching their medical guidelinesGetty “WBO Interim Bantamweight Champion Paul Butler is elevated from Interim Champion to ‘Full Champion Status.’ “The WBO World Championship Committee recommends to the WBO Ratings Committee that John Riel Casimero be rated at the number one (1) position in the WBO Bantamweight Ratings and subject to complying with the applicable rating criteria.” The WBO had already informed Casimero that he would be stripped of his belt should he be ‘unavailable to participate, regardless of the circumstances’ after he no-showed the official weigh-in for his first meeting with Butler in Dubai in December 2021. His failure to make it to the ring against Butler for a second time was the final nail in the coffin. As the BBBofC investigation has been launched after Eubank Jr vs Benn, it is unclear what form of punishment they would choose should they find Eubank Jr to have breached their medical guidelines. He may be forced to stomach another fine after already handing over £100,000 to the Board for slapping Benn with an egg at their launch press conference. Follow talkBOXING on social media talkBOXING is now on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us on social media for big breaking boxing news, exclusive interviews and the best bits from our talkBOXING YouTube show. Like our Facebook page HERE Follow us on Twitter HERE Sign up for our WhatsApp channel HERE
John Riel Casimero’s punishment for weight-cutting with a sauna is cause for concern for Chris Eubank Jr.
The Brighton boxer is currently under investigation by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) for his weight-cutting methods ahead of his instant classic with Conor Benn on Saturday night.
Eubank Jr missed the 160lbs middleweight limit by half an ounce, resulting in him handing over $500,000 (£375,000) to Benn.
It came after a gruelling weight cut, which was recorded and uploaded to Eubank Jr’s social media.
Eubank Jr could be seen dripping with sweat as he worked out in a sauna suit.
He could then be heard saying, “Time to jump in the sauna,” before climbing into a heated suit to complete his weight cut.
As the use of saunas is banned as a weight-cutting measure by the BBBofC, General Secretary Robert Smith is set to request more information from Eubank Jr in the coming weeks on how he shed the weight.
“It is an ongoing matter,” he told Boxing Scene on Tuesday.
The use of saunas has seen fights cancelled in the past by the BBBofC.
The most notable example is Casimero vs Paul Butler in 2022.
Casimero was due to defend his WBO bantamweight crown against mandatory challenger Butler in Liverpool.
However, the fight was pulled after it was found that Casimero had used a sauna to cut weight.
“The British Boxing Board of Control has been made aware (with supporting evidence) that Mr. Casimero has made use of a sauna in close proximity to his World Boxing Organization championship contest on 22nd April 2022 in Liverpool,” read a statement from BBBofC chief Smith.
“As you are aware, this is against BBBoC’s medical guidelines, and therefore, we can’t permit him to compete in the proposed contest on Friday.”
Casimero was subsequently stripped of the red and gold strap, while Butler was elevated to full world champion thereafter.
“The Committee unanimously recommended to the WBO Executive Committee to strip John Riel Casimero’s WBO World Bantamweight Championship Title for failure to comply with the conditions set forth in its “Resolution,” Luis Batista-Salas, WBO Championship Committee chairman, in a ten-page ruling.
“The WBO Executive Committee unanimously voted in favour of adopting the WBO Championship Committee’s recommendation and therefore declares the WBO Bantamweight Championship Title ‘Vacant.’
“WBO Interim Bantamweight Champion Paul Butler is elevated from Interim Champion to ‘Full Champion Status.’
“The WBO World Championship Committee recommends to the WBO Ratings Committee that John Riel Casimero be rated at the number one (1) position in the WBO Bantamweight Ratings and subject to complying with the applicable rating criteria.”
The WBO had already informed Casimero that he would be stripped of his belt should he be ‘unavailable to participate, regardless of the circumstances’ after he no-showed the official weigh-in for his first meeting with Butler in Dubai in December 2021.
His failure to make it to the ring against Butler for a second time was the final nail in the coffin.
As the BBBofC investigation has been launched after Eubank Jr vs Benn, it is unclear what form of punishment they would choose should they find Eubank Jr to have breached their medical guidelines.
He may be forced to stomach another fine after already handing over £100,000 to the Board for slapping Benn with an egg at their launch press conference.
