Donaire, Casimero collide in unification duel
Two major rock formations on the bantamweight landscape are about to fall off and drift towards each other in time for a scheduled 14 August collision course in the Greater Los Angeles area.
Newly-crowned World Boxing Council king Nonito Donaire and World Boxing Organization ruler John Riel Casimero have both agreed to face off with their respective world bantamweight belts on the line at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.
As soon as the fight was announced, verbal jabs were immediately thrown by both camps, leaving Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) needing no drama to hype the mouth-watering matchup involving the 118-lb division’s marquee names.
During an interview with a Japanese TV station following Naoya Inoue’s easy knockout win over Filipino Michael Dasmarinas in Las Vegas, Donaire expressed the belief that he will eventually earn another shot at Inoue’s crown.
“Of course, I am gonna win. 100 percent,” Donaire, 38, said in a reply to a question about his chances of beating Casimero and eventually setting up a second meeting with Inoue.
Casimero, who was a few feet away, didn’t hear about it but the outspoken banger also had a mouthful to say.
In a video call with Daily Tribune, Casimero insists Donaire’s glowing reputation doesn’t faze him.
In fact during a brief meeting before the Inoue-Dasmariñas bout, Casimero didn’t hesitate to display his trademark bravado by looking the Bohol-born puncher straight in the eye while placing his hands on his waist.
“Easy work,” said Casimero, who was originally slated to face Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux.
The winner of the Donaire-Casimero clash is expected to get that coveted chance to slug it out with Inoue.
Casimero, 32, strongly feels it will be his hand that will be raised in victory.
“I will flush him (Donaire) down the toilet,” Casimero said as he made fun of Donaire’s cute ‘The Filipino Flash’ nom de guerre.
Collectively, they have won 13 world titles between them with Donaire (41-6 with 27 KOs), a four-division titleholder, with nine and Casimero (30-4 with 21 KOs), a three-division titlist, with four.
This will mark the first time two Filipinos will figure in a unification match.
