Casimero shifts plot vs Inoue

Filipino world bantamweight boxing sensation Johnriel Casimero loved to say he would make his next foe, the unbeaten Japanese world champion Naoya Inoue, feel his power the moment they square off.

This was before the deathly worldwide upsurge of the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused the postponement and cancellation of the biggest international sporting events.

Before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was put off, the Inoue-Casimero triple championship unification fight, originally scheduled on April 25 in Las Vegas, had been postponed indefinitely by Top Rank Inc.

Casimero, starting to peak in Las Vegas after a monthlong camp in Miami, Florida, has been stalled.

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Nothing wrong, trainer Nonoy Neri told veteran sports journalist Joaquin Henson, while quickly assuring Casimero, the WBO 118-lbs champion, would be in his best form against Inoue, owner of the WBA and IBF bantamweight titles.

Fine, but there’s a problem: There’s no hint whatsoever when the championship would finally be staged.

They’ve been doing what’s necessary in their rented Las Vegas quarters, Neri claimed.

Casimero works with the mitts for 15 to 16 rounds every morning. The afternoon part of training has been wholly reserved for sessions with famous physical conditioning guru Memo Heredia.

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By the way, before he could leave for Florida, Casimero assured during an impromptu press conference in a Makati City hotel last February how he would chase and hunt down Inoue.

“He’s called the Monster, but I’m the real monster,” Casimero cried before a cardboard cut-out of Inoue during the media conference.

Casimero had also assured he would make Inoue feel his knockout power early.

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In a stunning twist, Neri has announced a change in their original strategy. Casimero would no longer attempt to jump-start.

Neri explained that, after close and serious review of Inoue fights on film, a shift was deemed necessary.

Casimero would not be made to press and push. Inoue must not be allowed space.

“Labas muna sa umpisa, jab and step back,” Neri explained in detailing the new plot.

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Truth was Team Casimero was unsure whether or not Inoue has already arrived in Las Vegas.

There were earlier tips the Japanese superstar had hit the gaming capital ahead—“sabi nandito na raw.”

Not to worry, Neri said, the great thing is that the postponement, which could result in a two-month break, has given Casimero a chance to grope through the absent Inoue who, based on his fearsome style and record, could slither and infect like a killer virus.

With a clear lurking danger, Casimero, to repeat, would no longer be made to dig in and go for an early kill.

Casimero would capitalize on his blazing knockout power to ultimately paralyze Inoue.

But, after fully sizing up his most important opponent, Casimero can be expected to take extra pain not to fall to Inoue’s awesome sharpness and vast technical superiority.

It’s a must for Casimero to mount an airtight defense.