Junior featherweight John Riel Casimero could return to the winner’s circle, although questions about his professionalism remain open.

After two unsuccessful attempts to make weight on Saturday, October 12, Casimero delivered a first-round technical knockout of former title challenger Saul Sanchez at the Yokohama Budokan in Yokohama, Japan.

Former three-division titleholder Casimero (34-4-1, 23 KO), 35, took a moment to see what the 27-year-old Sanchez (21-4, 12 KO) of Encino, California, had before unloading a barrage of punches. A right hook crushed Sanchez, who briefly touched the canvas with his gloves, prompting referee Yuji Fukuchi to count.

Sanchez defeated the Count and tried to retaliate, but this decision led to his downfall. Casimero landed a crushing left hook that knocked Sanchez to the ground. Although Sanchez managed to get back to his feet, Casimero overwhelmed him with a flurry of punches, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 2:41 of the opening round.

Casimero’s career has been turbulent in recent years. Since his victory over Guillermo Rigondeaux in August 2021, he has fought just four fights, all in Asia, including his last fight. His last fight was almost exactly a year ago, on October 12, 2023.

It will be Sanchez’s second defeat in 2024, following a narrow majority defeat to then-WBO bantamweight titleholder Jason Moloney in January. He bounced back with an eight-round unanimous decision over Arthur Villanueva, but the loss to Casimero was Sanchez’s first stoppage of his career.

Albert Mora on Friday night at Domo del CODE in Garcia’s hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico, he scored a one-punch knockout over Benito Garcia. Mora improves his record to 12-0, 9 by knockout.

From the opening bell, Mora effectively defeated Garcia, using the distance with regular land combinations. Garcia tried to cut off the ring but wasn’t consistent enough as Mora effectively moved in and out of striking range.

Mora was more aggressive and initiated exchanges in the third round, putting Garcia on the defensive with precise punches and combinations. During an exchange in round four, Mora landed a right-left combination to the body that sent Garcia to the canvas. Garcia tried to get up, wincing in pain, as he was given 2:26.

Including Friday’s victory over Garcia, Mora, who lives in Mexico City and splits training time there and in the United States, has stopped five of his last six opponents and has a regional title under his belt.

The 26-year-old stopped Raul Galaviz Hernandez in the fifth round of his previous fight on June 14. Three months before his victory over Galaviz, Mora defeated the once defeated Fernando Romero Hilario by unanimous decision.

Mora signed a contract with BXSTRS, which promotes Friday’s card. He is trained by Jay Najar, who also trains lightweight fighter William Zepeda.

Garcia drops to 17-9-3, 5 KOs. On July 27 in Guadalajara, he won by knockout against journeyman Jesus Garcia Frutos.

The 24-year-old has lost four of his last six fights.

Junior welterweight frontier Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela of Guadalajara defeated Jesus Lopez by unanimous decision. The scores were 79-72, 79-72 and 78-73 for Gollaz, who improved to 30-3-1, 17 KOs.

Gollaz dominated most of the fight, defeating an aggressive Lopez midway through the eighth round. Despite the fall, Lopez suffered no injuries and continued to stay in the pocket, exchanging combinations until the final bell.

The 29-year-old has now won his last five fights since a narrow decision loss to Montana Love in May 2022.

Lopez, who lives in Costa Rica, Mexico, has a record of 16-15-3, 4 KOs. Before the Gollaz fight, he was undefeated in his 11 previous fights.

In the clash of flyweight fighters residing in Tijuana, Jose Russell improved his balance to 16-0, 10 KO, defeating Arnulfo Salvador (16-7-1, 9 KO) by unanimous decision. The scores for Russell were 78-73, 78-73 and 79-75.

Salvador was deducted a point in round eight for a headbutt, for which he had been warned in previous rounds.

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Junior welterweight fighter Michel Rivera sets high goals for himself and is not holding back when choosing his next fight. Rivera, nicknamed “La Zarza Ali,” is drawing the attention of Teofimo Lopez Jr., who has made more headlines for his social media activity than his in-ring performances. However, Rivera is open to fighting Devin Haney or Ryan Garcia if they are looking for a challenge.

Rivera (26-1, 14 KO), 26 years ancient, last fight in July, after which he defeated Hugo Alberto Roldan (22-3-1, 7 KO) by split decision. The fight, according to many, was closer than it should have been. Rivera previously secured a victory in November against former titleholder Sergei Lipinet (18-3-1, 13 KOs), marking his first fight at junior welterweight after a tough loss to Frank Martin at lightweight in December 2023.

Now Rivera is focusing on 27-year-old Lopez (21-1, 13 KO), whose last fight was in July, defeating Steve Claggett (38-8-2, 26 KO). Lopez’s performance, coupled with Claggett’s career ups and downs, did not impress Rivera.

“He’s a fighter and he’s notable, but I think I have the skills to beat him,” Rivera said. “I saw him lose, just like Sandor Martin, and they still gave him the fight. He’s not as good as they say and I know I can beat him. I’m already recognized in this division and he’s fighting guys with eight losses. I’m one of the best at 140 pounds, but they just want fights they think they can win. I want a world title and I’m ready to make it happen.”

Rivera did not rule out the possibility of facing the currently inactive Haney (31-0, 15 KO) or Garcia (24-1, 20 KO). Haney’s majority victory over Garcia was recently overturned and declared a no-contest because Garcia failed a pre-fight drug test while Garcia is serving a suspension.

“Boxing is more of a business than a sport. I know these fights will happen eventually,” Rivera said. “When Ryan Garcia is looking for an opponent, my name is always on the table, but they never take it. These substantial guys don’t want to fight real fighters like me.

Rivera, who is currently ranked No. 14 in both the IBF and WBC rankings, believes his all-around skills make him a risky opponent for any fighter in the division.

“I can hit, I move well and I’m ready for any of them,” Rivera said.