Mobile Home | Desktop Version




Casimero avoids burning out

By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 26 Mar 2020



WBO bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero is staying indoors in a rented house in Las Vegas, steps out only to buy provisions in a Filipino store about four miles away and does 15 to 16 rounds of mitts and shadow boxing every day while awaiting word on when his triple unification showdown with super WBA/IBF titleholder Naoya Inoue will be reset.

The duel with Inoue was scheduled at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on April 25 but Top Rank has postponed the event until further notice. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons, who is in Las Vegas, said yesterday the probability is the fight will be held in June.

Casimero left Manila for Miami via Los Angeles to open training camp with strength and conditioning coach Memo Heredia early last month. Then, he flew to Las Vegas last week to stay in a four-bedroom 307-square meter house with a swimming pool and spa. Casimero lives in the house on Horseshoe Cliff Avenue with trainer Nonoy Neri, assistant trainer Ting (Sugar) Ariosa and brother Jayson. Gibbons booked the house for the team.

Neri said Casimero now walks around weighing 132 pounds. The bantamweight limit is 118. “Tama lang timbang ni Tata,” said Neri. “Adjust kami sa training program. Parating si Memo galing Miami. Pang-umaga ang training kay Memo, ako pang-hapon. Ayaw namin ma-sunog si Tata. Hindi siya lumalabas ng bahay at delikado sa virus kaya walang jogging. Pagtapos mag-mitts, tuloy siya sa spa at pool. Heated yung pool at may parang masahe yung spa kaya tamang-tama pang-relax.”

Neri said he orders food delivery but sometimes, drives to a nearby Filipino store Island Pacific for supplies. “Kaunti nalang stock sa WalMart,” he said. “Kilala namin ang may-ari ng Island Pacific kung saan kami nakakabili ng chicken, pompano, gulay, prutas, bottled water. Sabi ni Memo, bawal ang karneng baka. Sobrang inip na kami pero tiyaga lang.”

Gibbons said the postponement could be about 60 days. “At least, we’re not starting from scratch,” he said. “Casimero’s in good hands with Memo, Nonoy, Sugar and Jayson. We’re adjusting his training schedule so he doesn’t burn out. When things are back to normal, we’ll take Casimero to the track. We’ll make sure he’s at his peak when the fight comes.”

Neri said he’s not aware if Inoue has arrived in Las Vegas. “Hindi namin alam,” he said. “May balita na mas nauna siya sa Vegas. Wala kaming pakialam sa kaniya. Basta kami ready. Alaga kami ni Sir Sean at wala kaming iniintindi.”

Neri said the lockdown has given the team more time to study Inoue on film. “Sa first two rounds, diskarte lang, huwag lapitan si Inoue para huwag ma-unahan,” he said. “Maganda jab ni Inoue. Kailangan niya distansya kaya dapat huwag bigyan ng space. May step-back siya. Jab-straight 1-2 combination tapos labas. Sa umpisa, huwag muna mag-pressure si Tata at iwas headbutt. Kung ano ginawa ni Tata kay (Zolani) Tete, ‘yan ang gagawin niya kay Inoue.”


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025