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:

  • Fisher and Atencio Crowned Jax Mixed Doubles Open Champions
    Sun, 21 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul Undergoes Surgery for Broken Jaw Following Knockout Loss to Anthony Joshua
    By Dong Secuya, Sun, 21 Dec 2025
  • Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
    By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
    By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
    Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
    Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
    Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
    By Chris Carlson, Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
    By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
    Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
    Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
    Thu, 18 Dec 2025
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
    Thu, 18 Dec 2025