Instead of moving up in rankings or staying in his original spot at No. 6, Johnriel Casimero found himself being relegated to No. 7 in the latest ratings released by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

Fans of Casimero raised a howl over the move by the WBO to pit Mexican Luis Nery at No. 6 despite having been inactive since being knocked out by Naoya Inoue last May.

Of course, we were surprised — but not shocked — that Casimero sank to seventh and Nery suddenly appeared at No. 6.

You see, Casimero’s fans — many of whom are just bandwagoners and newbies — are not aware of the implications of Casimero’s latest escapade in Japan.

While Casimero scored a savage second-round knockout of Saul Sanchez, what was all-important was the one-year suspension that was imposed on him by the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC).

Although it was just Japan that issued the suspension, it undoubtedly has an effect on the other countries.

So, what was supposed to lift Casimero up proved to be a curse since his inability to make weight and the JBC suspension weighed more than the victory itself.

Even the Games and Amusements Board is studying the JBC’s suspension and chairman Francisco Rivera said a ruling will be issued once the GAB board convenes.

Honestly, Casimero is not being helped by the people around him unlike before when he was still under the promotional banner of Sean Gibbons’ MP Promotions.

Since going separate ways with MP Promotions, Casimero’s career has stagnated.

If only Casimero stuck with Gibbons, he would have probably fought and defeated Inoue by this time.

This is something Casimero refuses to accept.

Can’t blame him, though.

Who he got around him who has a decent amount of knowledge of how bigtime boxing is being run?

Poor Casimero.

He’s the only guy — the ONLY boxer — who has what it takes to crush the Monster.

Time is of the essence.

Sooner or later, he will end up being dragged out of the top 10.