Philippines, 28 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Casimero to put ‘turtle’ to sleep


PhilBoxing.com





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:

  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • “It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • ‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Date set for Manny-Money 2
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • 2 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.