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Mike CoppingerESPN
Bantamweight titleholder John Riel Casimero has been accused of sexual abuse, according to a Feb. 11 complaint filed by the Women and Children Protection Desk in Taguig City, Philippines.
The complaint says the 33-year-old inappropriately touched a 17-year-old girl while she was sleeping in his hotel room on June 7, 2021. The Acts of Lasciviousness complaint along with a Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act complaint was filed with the prosecutor’s office.
Egis Klimas, Casimero’s manager, did not respond to a text message seeking comment.
Casimero (31-4, 21 KOs) is scheduled to defend his WBO title against Paul Butler on April 22 in England. He was originally set to fight Butler on Dec. 11 in Dubai, but Casimero failed to appear at the weigh-in after he was hospitalized for illness.
Casimero’s past two bouts were televised by Showtime, including his most recent fight, a controversial decision over Guillermo Rigondeaux in a PBC main event.
Casimero is rated No. 3 by ESPN at 118 pounds. A proposed summer 2021 matchup with future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire collapsed after a dispute regarding doping testing.