Casimero's Japanese Handlers Keeping Him Away From Inoue?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 13 Sep 2024
The high expectation is that Johnriel Casimero latching up with a Japanese promoter will bring him closer to a long sought after fight versus Naoya Inoue.
Two years later, and now on his fourth assignment with Treasure Boxing Promotion, Johnriel is apparently no nearer from his cherished matchup. He is set to face American Saul Sanchez on October 13, 2024 in Yokohama in a bout with no clear significance on his chase of Inoue.
This has prompted the question, is his signing up with Treasure really meant to keep him off Inoue?
Recall that his first bout under Treasure of former champion Masayoshi Ito was held in Incheon, South Korea against the marginally rated Ryo Akaho.
The fight was declared a technical draw after the Japanese referee Michiaki Someya ruled that Akaho was unable to continue near the end of the 2nd round as a result of an alleged rabbit punch by Casimero. The referee had earlier credited Akaho with a knockdown which was more the result of Casimero losing his balance.
The replay showed that Casimero, irked by the incident, was virtually mauling Akaho in the balance of the second round when a punch grazed Akaho near the nape area as he desperately tried to run away from Johnriel's fusillade of punches.
The result was roundly booed by the majority South Korean crowd. Later Casimero's management put the result under protest with the Korean Boxing Commission which later overturned the referee's ruling and declared Johnriel winner by TKO.
In Casimero's second fight he was pitted against another little known opponent, Filippus Nghitumbwa of Namibia at the Okada Hotel back in Manila which he won by a bruising unanimous decision for the so called WBO Global super bantamweight crown.
In his third fight, a fight was finally set in Japan and he was pitted against former IBF super bantamweight titlist Yukinori Oguni. It was concededly quite a disappointing performance by Casimero as he seemingly was not at his best form. Yet Johnriel showed his tiger heart and in a wild exchange a profusely bleeding cut on the forehead of Oguni which cause was unclear forced the referee to call a halt and rule a deserved technical draw.
Ito later observed that Casimero seemingly lacked stamina and recommended a change of coach-trainer or that he hires the services a physical conditioner to complement his training.
Johnriel's response to his promoter's observation is yet unknown. But his performance against a dangerous foe as Sanchez will tell us if he is deserving of a crack at Inoue.
Or he better cut the chase altogether.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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