John Riel Casimero is oozing with confidence these days.
Making his US market debut last Sunday (Manila time) against Ghanan Duke Micah, the 30-year-old native of Ormoc made sure to put on a show.
Casimero was dominant all throughout the bout that lasted just three rounds, whooping Micah to successfully defend the WBO World Bantamweight Championship for the first time.
And the bosses at Showtime Boxing definitely want Casimero back.
Photo from Showtime Boxing
“It used to be difficult, but he finally found a home in the US. Everybody loved it from Showtime,” MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons said during the PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and powered by Smart, with Upstream Media as broadcast partner.
“That’s the real monster right there. He is a main eventer, he is a world champion.”
Casimero, who has developed into an outspoken fellow, made it known that he is gunning for a bout against WBA, IBF, and The Ring Bantamweight champ Naoya Inoue (19-0).
A bout between the two has been on and off since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. However, it has not come to fruition, making Casimero believe that Inoue has been dodging him.
“Oo nga e habang tumatagal, lalo silang tumatakbo. Oo, ang dream ko kasi is ma-unify at mapunta sa akin ‘yung apat na belt,” said Casimero, who owns a 30-4 record.
“Yun talaga yung dream ko.”
No longer does Casimero feel that he is the one who should chase Inoue around.
He is a world champion after all.
“You know John Riel has a lot of options. There are fights for [Guillermo] Rigondeioux or go for a fourth world title against Luis Nery,” said Gibbons.
“Then there’s the Japanese turtle. We have not seen the guy in seven months. Bob Arum has hidden him under the bed. He has a lot of options.”
“Madami kaming gustong kalaban. Madaming big fights na nagaabang,” added Casimero.
Changing his stance on Inoue, Casimero has this to say for the native of Zama, Kanagawa.
“That’s a Japanese turtle, not a monster.”
