Philippines, 26 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Second Overtime: John Riel Casimero's hunt for a Japanese "Monster" continues


PhilBoxing.com



Team Casimero.

CHICAGO --- After wresting the WBO bantamweight title with a sensational third-round TKO over Zolani Tete last November 30 in Birmingham, England, John Riel Casimero has gotten insatiably hungrier.

And a lot greedier.

Unsatisfied with just one belt, he wants to solidify his rule of the 118-pound division by seeking a unification bout with Naoy Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs), the IBF and WBA title-holder nicknamed "Monster" for his savage history of violence.

Wish granted.

Top Rank, Inoue's promoter in the U.S., quickly arranged the unification war, a surefire pay-per-view blockbuster, last April 25.

And then the coronavirus pandemic swept across the world. And in the words of Manny Pacquiao Promotions president Sean Gibbons: "the world went to hell."

But now, as boxing starts to open its doors for business with a bubble inside the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the 5-foot-4 pride of Ormoc City in the Philippines just got a little more giddy, his punches carrying an extra, malicious zip during workouts.

Since leaving Miami, where he trained for the original April fight date, Casimero and his team ---- which is composed of chief trainer Noynoy Neri, co-trainer Sugar Lucas, strength and conditioning coach Memo Heredia and John Riel's brother, Jason ---- have all converged in Sin City.

Their base of operation lies in a quiet stretch along Horseshoe Cliff Avenue, a nifty McMansion that sits just eight miles and 13 minutes away from the world-famous Vegas strip.

The spectacular abode has four bedrooms and three full bathrooms. A full kitchen with ceramic tiles services the champ's culinary needs while a laundry room is nestled idly in the upper level.

Outside, the splendor spills.

There is a giant pool to rinse the sweat of a hard day's work or to wash the doldrums away. A nice barbecue grill is tucked harmlessly in a corner where Neri repeatedly showcases his master grilling skills.


Casimero relaxes in the balcony overlooking the swimming pool.

More often than not, Pompano fish is the feast of choice. Tenderloin beef, which is a rich source of protein for the champ, is also a grill menu favorite.

Make no mistake, boredom and melancholy occasionally sets in, even when one is living inside the four walls of a decadent palace. After all, being quarantined and deprived of some personal liberties can be immensely challenging.

But John Riel and Team Casimero have risen above those inconveniences.


Casimero does the mitts with Nonoy Neri.

"He is staying sharp and focused," Gibbons, who oversees this entire championship camp, told this writer.

And that's no surprise.

Gibbons is a reputable and highly-respected five-star promoter and international matchmaker.

He expects nothing less.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Rivas vs Wada: Battle for Women’s OPBF Supremacy Today in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Mexican boxing icon Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Respects Cuban fighters & rivalry
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Claressa Shields Partners with King Moore to Empower Detroit Youth with the “Follow Your Dreams” Program Presented by SMT Financial Partners
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Saturday’s title defense vs. Yuniel Dorticos could be prelude to mega-fight for Gilberto Ramirez against Jake Paul or Unification showdown with Jay Opetaia or Badou Jack
    , Wed, 25 Jun 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 June 2025: Norman Flattens Sasaki; Simsri Edges Araneta; Rodriguez Outpoints Yafai
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • FM Daluz rules 7th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Ancajas awaits call to join card
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Macado fights Dulayba in Venue 88
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • “Showtime” Shea Willcox & Rich Allen turned in KO Performances
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Undefeated prospect Marco Romero To be showcased on Deontay Wilder PPV card this Friday night in Wichita
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Toro Promotions. Inc. to promote its First International pro boxing show in El Salvador on September 20th
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Oklahoma Completes Dream Season; Whips Indiana in Game 7, 103-91 for First NBA Title in Thunder Era
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Japanese Boxer Jin Sasaki Suffers Memory Loss Following Brutal Knockout in WBO Title Fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Toshihiko Era Becomes WBF Asia Champion at Age 50
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Ador Torres, Renato Cha, Lemuel De Barbo and Ivan Ognayon Score KO Wins in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Concludes with Junior, Youth and Elite Championships
    , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Second Stage of the WBC Boxing Grand Prix Concludes with Great Success: Heavyweight and Featherweight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Miel Ticket: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Shuts Out Kamil Gardzielik
    , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • WBC Grand Prix super lightweight results from Riyadh
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Francisco Rodriguez Jr. Stuns Galal Yafai in Birmingham, Secures Interim WBC Flyweight Title
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Jesse 'The Little Giant' Espinas Crowned WBC Asia Super Flyweight Champion in Exciting Knockout Victory in China
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Bantam and Intermediate Champions Crowned on Day Five of USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival
    , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Filipinos De Barbo, Ognayon, Cha and Torres in Action in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Jun 2025
  • ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS 2’: DAVID STEVENS DEFEATS PETR KHAMUKOV BY 10-ROUND UNANIMOUS DECISION
    , Sat, 21 Jun 2025
  • Era and Nantapech Ready to Clash for WBF Asia in Thailand; Filipinos in the Undercard
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.