Reigning WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero was unable to make the weight grade and had to pull out of his world title defense against English foe Paul Butler of England on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
Probellum announced the development on social media Friday, Dec. 10 as Butler is now set to face Joseph Agbeko of Ghana.
Casimero was taken to the hospital last night as retweeted by Probellum from former boxer and trainer Joe Gallagher.
"John Riel Casimero has had to pull out of tomorrow's fight with Paul Butler after being unable to make it to the weigh-in. We wish him a speedy recovery," said Probellum in its post.
Official word has yet to come from the WBO champion himself but local reports disclosed that Casimero suffered from "viral gastritis."
It is also unknown whether Casimero will be stripped of his WBO bantamweight belt.
Casimero, nicknamed "Quadro Alas," last saw action against Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba last August to improve at 31-4 on top of 21 knockouts.