Monster hunting: WBO champion Johnriel Casimero faces WBA and IBF titleholder Naoya Inoue of Japan in a bantamweight title unification showdown on April 25 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. INQUIRER PHOTO/MARK GIONGCO
MANILA, Philippines — John Riel Casimero wore an aviator sunglasses to match his velvet blue blazer and a big smile on his face during his press conference announcing his upcoming showdown with Japanese champion Naoya Inoue.
Casimero is confident as ever as he heads into the biggest fight of his career scheduled on April 25 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
“Hindi ako natatakot sa kahit sino. Kahit sa timbang ko ngayon, ako yata ung pinakamalakas sa 118 pounds,” said Casimero (29-4, 20 KOs) on Wednesday at Amelie Hotel.
(I’m not afraid of anyone. I feel like I’m the strongest in the 118 pounds.)
The 29-year-old Casimero made himself known in the bantamweight division after a scintillating three-round stoppage of former champion Zolani Tete of South Africa to win the WBO title last November in Birmingham, England.
But the title unification bout with the unbeaten Inoue, who is the WBA (Super) and IBF champion, will serve as Casimero’s coming out party as he makes his Las Vegas debut.
“April 25th, everybody here in the Philippines will absolutely know who John Riel Casimero is,” said Sean Gibbons, president of MP Promotions.
The 26-year-old Inoue, known as “The Monster” for his punching power having knocked out 16 of his 19 opponents, overcame Nonito Donaire in a grueling 12-round slugfest last November in Saitama, Japan.
“I want people to see what I’ve been seeing the past years. This is the real monster right here,” Gibbons added.