John Riel Casimero expects to be back on the ring in November. —AFP
If it were up to John Riel Casimero’s camp, he’d go after Japanese star Naoya Inoue right away instead of pursuing another date with fellow Filipino champ Nonito Donaire Jr.
Nonoy Neri, chief trainer of the fast-rising World Boxing Organization bantamweight champ, said Casimero would like to face Inoue as soon as possible for the big fight that Casimero has long been chasing.
Casimero’s constant calling out of Inoue seemed to have caught the attention of the Japanese camp, prompting the boxer known as “The Monster” to say “please organize a match.”
Whoever the opponent is, Neri said Casimero is likely to take the stage in November. His ward is set to come back home to the Philippines soon.
“He wants the big fight. He wants Inoue,” said Neri. “But it’s going to be the decision of Sean Gibbons (MP Promotions president).”
Gibbons had earlier said they are trying to make a deal once again with Donaire after the first one fell through four weeks ago due to the issue of dope testing.
Donaire first
For Gibbons, it will have to be Casimero-Donaire first, before Inoue is matched against the winner of the all-Filipino encounter.
But Donaire claimed Casimero’s camp has yet to contact his promoter. And until then, the World Boxing Council champ said everything about their supposed bout is just “antics and talk.’
“We are currently weighing real options and will not entertain this as it’s apparent it was just all talk,” wrote Donaire on his Twitter account.
Donaire didn’t elaborate on those options but clearly, the biggest names at 118 pounds right now are Casimero and the Japanese World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation title holder.
Casimero has been gaining a lot of following in the United States because of his flashy personality and aggressive style. But he failed to put on any display two weeks ago against Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux.