John Riel Casimero Halts Saul Sanchez In 1st Round, One Day After Blowing Weight

John Riel Casimero had a much easier time in the ring than he did with the scale.

The former three-division titlist salvaged a near-disastrous weekend with a first-round knockout of Saul Sanchez. Casimero scored two knockdowns before he forced the ending at 2:41 of the opening round Saturday at Yokohama Budokan in Yokohama, Japan.

Grave concern was expressed over the main event even moving forward after Casimero twice blew weight. The official weigh-in ceremony on Saturday saw Casimero...