Reward for Casimero is Inoue
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 04 Dec 2021
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said yesterday if WBO bantamweight champion JohnRiel Casimero retains his crown against England’s Paul Butler in Dubai on Dec. 11, his reward will be a big-money showdown with super WBA/IBF titlist Naoya (The Monster) Inoue in April, possibly in Japan.
But first things first. Casimero has to turn back Butler and according to his co-trainer Manny Melchor, the fight could be over within six rounds if the challenger engages the Filipino slugger. Melchor, who briefly held the IBF minimumweight crown in 1992, has teamed up with Casimero’s brother Jayson in training camp at the City Boxing Gym in San Diego. Casimero arrived in the US late October to get ready for Butler and scaled 140-145 pounds but now, he’s down to 120, only two over the bantamweight limit.
Melchor, 52, said he expects Butler to hit and run so Casimero has to cut the ring off to find a target for his bombs. “Boxer si Butler, ‘di fighter kagaya ni Casimero,” said Melchor. “Tatakbo ‘yan at alam niya malakas ni Casimero. Magalaw, makamay si Butler kaya dapat ma-anticipate ni Casimero kung saan siya pupunta, harangin niya at pressure. Puntos-puntos lang si Butler kaya kailangan agresibo si Casimero.”
Once Casimero enters Butler’s strike zone, Melchor said he has to come in firing. “Huwag siya papasok kung ‘di siya susuntok,” said Melchor. “Mahalaga ang jab kasi pang-depensa ‘yun. Timing lang sa counter at mahuhuli ni Casimero si Butler. Huwag niya pabayaan tumakbo. Si (Guillermo) Rigondeaux, naramdaman ang lakas ni Casimero sa first round kaya tumakbo hanggang dulo. Kung makipagsabayan si Butler, matutulog siya. Iba ang lakas ni Casimero. Sa mitts namin, namamaga mga kamay ko. Ang power niya kagaya ni Eric Chavez.” Melchor said he outpointed Chavez twice using in-and-out tactics. Butler will try to do the same against Casimero so Melchor said he’ll advise how to counter it. Chavez, a power puncher from Talisay, Cebu, was unbeaten in 28 fights when he stopped Indonesia's Nico Thomas in the fifth round to claim the IBF 105-pound title in Jakarta in 1989.
Melchor said he won’t join Casimero in Dubai because of his full-time job as a trainer at the City Boxing Gym. Casimero, his brother Jayson and cutman Stephen Lunas are booked to leave for Dubai tomorrow. “Kaya yan ni Casimero, disiplinado siya sa training at mabait na tao," he said. "Parang kidlat ang suntok niya. Pag tamaan niya si Butler ng solid, babagsak ‘yan kagaya ni (Zolani) Tete.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 11 Feb 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
Wed, 11 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
Tue, 10 Feb 202619-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
Tue, 10 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
Tue, 10 Feb 2026