Philippines, 15 Jan 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:

  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 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.