By Jake Donovan

Six months after eating his way out of a junior flyweight title reign, John Riel Casimero eyes a crown in a second weight class. The free-swinging Filipino scored two knockdowns en route to a 2nd round knockout of Armando Santos in their flyweight eliminator Saturday evening in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. 

The action was all one way, but a short night became evident after Casimero exploded for a knockdown late at the end of round one. Santos never knew what hit him, and not even a one-minute rest period in between rounds could help shake the cobwebs.

Casimero wasted no time in going in for the kill, pouncing on his wounded prey in the opening seconds of round two. Santos was once again on the canvas, this time for good as the action was quickly brought to a close.

The official time was 0:25 of round two. 

With the win, Casimero (21-2, 13KOs) becomes the mandatory challenger to Amnat Ruenroeng, who has enjoyed a career-year in 2014. The Thai boxer won a vacant flyweight title with a win over Rocky Fuentes in January, and scored big in successful defenses over previously unbeaten two-division titlist Kazuto Ioka in May and McWilliams Arroyo in September. 

The past 12 months haven't been quite as kind to Casimero, whose junior flyweight title reign ended on the scales in June. The 24-year old showed up more than a full division over the limit for an eventual 1st round knockout of overmatched Mauricio Fuentes. 

In coming up big on Saturday, hope for a fresh start exists in a forthcoming title shot at some point in 2015. 

UNDERCARD

Zulina Muñoz cruised a 10-round decision over Colombia's Olga Julio in their super flyweight co-feature attraction. Scores were 100-90 (twice) and 99-91 in favor of Muñoz (44-1-2, 27KOs), who is now unbeaten in 29 fights dating back to 2007.

Magail Rodriguez (15-5-1, 9KOs) picked up her second straight win, needing just 22 seconds to dispatch Maria Villalobos (13-12-1, 5KOs). A right hand set up the attack barely 10 seconds in, with a rally along the ropes prompting referee intervention. 

All bouts aired via same-day tape delay on Fox Deportes in the United States.

Off-camera, Top 10 super featherweight contender Francisco Vargas (21-0, 15KOs) remains unbeaten after stopping journeyman Genaro Camargo (44-18, 34KOs) in two rounds.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of krikya360.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox