As Donaire, Casimero jostle for spotlight, Inoue awaits challenger

Nonito Donaire Jr. (left) earned the World Boxing Council crown after knocking out France’s Nordine Oubaali. —AFP

As Filipino world champions Nonito Donaire Jr., and John Riel Casimero try to make themselves relevant to boxing audiences on social media, bantamweight’s biggest draw, Naoya Inoue, intends to sit back at least until next year.

Donaire and Casimero on Tuesday went face-to-face in a livestream for an awkward back-and-forth, selling a fight that has since fell through.

Both are chasing a fight date with Inoue. For Casimero it would be a ticket to A-list fights. For four-division champ Donaire—who lost to Inoue in 2019—the bout represents a last shot at glory.

Meanwhile, Inoue took to Twitter to say things should be settled by December.

“It should be officially decided and realized if they are to be done by December,” read Inoue’s translated post. “It is a pity that the unification of the four groups is far away.”

“Otherwise, we can fight one by one,” Inoue added.