Casimero to put ‘turtle’ to sleep
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 19 Oct 2020
WBO bantamweight champion JohnRiel Casimero, holed up in a hotel undergoing a 14-day quarantine in Ormoc, said yesterday he plans to go back to the US in January and get ready for his next fight, maybe against super WBA/IBF ruler Naoya Inoue but while at home for the holidays, it’ll be business as usual in the gym to stay in shape.
Casimero, 31, arrived in Manila from Los Angeles with his brother Jayson last Tuesday after a nine-month stay. They flew to Ormoc last Friday. Casimero trained in Miami and Las Vegas before knocking out previously unbeaten Duke Micah of Ghana in Connecticut to register the first defense of his WBO crown last Sept. 26. He was supposed to fight Inoue last April but Top Rank CEO Bob Arum canceled the duel because the “Monster” couldn’t book a flight out of Japan due to travel restrictions. Now that Casimero is back in the Philippines, Inoue was scheduled to land in Las Vegas yesterday and will face Australian Jason Moloney in Las Vegas on Oct. 31.
“Hinintay akong umalis bago siya dumating,” chuckled Casimero. “Tinawag ko siya ng Japanese Turtle pero ‘di siya nag-react, deadma lang. Hindi raw siya takot sa akin. Sabi niya, malakas ako sumuntok, ‘di naman siya tatamaan. Balak kasi niyang tumakbo. Ang masasabi ko lang, ‘di siya makakaiwas sa akin, tatamaan at patutulugin ko.”
Casimero said he’s not interested to watch Inoue fight Moloney on TV. “Wala ‘yan si Moloney,” he said. “Isang laban lang ni Inoue ang pinanood ko, yung kontra kay (Nonito) Donaire. Sana next fight ko si Inoue. Kung ‘di matuloy, baka umakyat ako sa 122 at labanan ko si (WBC superbantamweight champion Luis) Nery.”
Casimero said before leaving the US, MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons told him to take care of his body during the holidays. “Takot si Sir Sean ako lumaki,” he laughed. “Focus lang ako, maraming gym sa Ormoc. Si Jayson kasama ko sa training. ‘Di ako magpapabaya. Kahit sino humarap sa akin sa timbangan, lalabanan ko. Si Donaire, lalaban kay (Nordine) Oubaali para sa WBC title. Tingin ko, 100 percent mananalo si Donaire kung aggressive siya at maganda ang training niya. Magaling si Donaire kaya lang sa laban niya kontra Inoue, ‘di siya masyadong gumalaw, nasa harap lang siya. Kung ibalik ni Donaire ang kaniyang aggressiveness at galaw, talo si Oubaali. Pwede kong labanan si Donaire, no problem. Trabaho lang.”
Casimero brought back a bundle of toys and clothes for his two kids. He got a tablet for his two-year-old daughter who’s fond of watching videos on YouTube. “Hindi ko pa sila nakikita,” he said. “Sabik na sabik ko silang makita.” When he returns to the US, Casimero said he’ll be with either Nonoy Neri or Jhun Agrabio as trainer, whoever is available.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SMITH VS. GERMAIN + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 18 Apr 2025There Are No Miracles— Just Nora Aunor
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 18 Apr 2025Heavyweight Contender Lenier Pero Set to Shine on April 18 at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando
Fri, 18 Apr 2025New Champion, New Era: Lightweight King Keyshawn Davis Defends Throne Against Edwin De Los Santos in Homecoming June 7 at Norfolk’s Scope Arena LIVE on ESPN
Fri, 18 Apr 2025Rising Canadian super lightweight prospect Eric Basran draws undefeated Isaiah Johnson for Friday's opening round of the inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Fri, 18 Apr 2025FORMER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION KELLY “THE GHOST” PAVLIK TO ATTEND 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
Fri, 18 Apr 2025Beltran faces Crenz in WBC Grand Prix
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Apr 2025Into to fight Jones in WBC Grand Prix
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Apr 2025USA Boxing International Concludes Day Two Competition
Thu, 17 Apr 2025Little Pancho: A Filipino Fighter in the Ring, an American Soldier to the End
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 17 Apr 2025Beltran ready to fight in WBC Grand Prix
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Apr 2025Arca stuns English GM, maintains share of top spot in Bangkok Chess Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 17 Apr 2025Melvin’s target is Collazo
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 17 Apr 2025Piala fights Choki in WBC Grand Prix
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Apr 2025There will be NO DRAWS at the World Boxing Council Grand Prix in Riyadh
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 17 Apr 2025