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:
Sumabong to defend WBO title against undefeated Taiwanese on July 11 in Bohol
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Jordan Orozco Remains Perfect with Dominant Third-Round TKO of Fernando Diaz on MVP/Boxlab Card in Orlando
Wed, 17 Jun 2026Floyd Mayweather Jr could face charges of fraud in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Jun 2026EDDIE HEARN SIGNS DIVINE OMOJOR FOR MATCHROOM BOXING ON LONG-TERM DEAL AS NEWCASTLE TEENAGE CRUISERWEIGHT TURNS PRO
Wed, 17 Jun 2026DC Trail Ultra on July 26 in Calinan
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Torre to grace Gov. Oaminal Chess Festival
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Apolinar, Santisima to fight on June 19 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Canoy still waiting for his US visa for June 20 fight against Collazo
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026"Hand of Stone" Roberto Durán celebrates 75th birthday
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Sy-Tancontian excited on Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Backs RP Blu Girls' Intensive Japan Training Camp Ahead of Women's Softball World Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Digos 2 Malita 70km Ultramarathon on June 20
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 JUNE 2026: Bam Stops Vargas in 6; Wins by Michel Soro, Wilkens Mathieu, Elif Nur Turhan, Nataly Delgado and Abraham Perez
By Eric Armit, Tue, 16 Jun 2026Undefeated world champion Ataev faces experienced Venezuelan puncher Uzcátegui at IBA PRO 19
Tue, 16 Jun 2026Full Fight Card Set for MF Pro’s “Pugilist Revolution” June 19 at Thunder Studios in Long Beach
Tue, 16 Jun 2026