Johnriel Casimero made a successful first defense of his WBO bantamweight crown as he knocked out Ghana’s Duke Micah in the third round of their title fight in Connecticut.

The 30-year-old dominated DukeMicah throughout with a series of punishing body blows, setting a frenetic pace from the opening bell at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville.

Casimero, who improved to 30-4, with 21 knockouts, had Micah in trouble in the second round, sending the challenger crashing to the canvas with a left hook that left the Ghanaian clinging on.

Micah managed to survive into the third round, but with Casimero sensing victory, the Filipino launched an early onslaught and when a left followed by a right uppercut left Micah reeling, the referee stepped in to call a halt.

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