Philippines, 31 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Second Overtime: As "Monster" hunt stalls, new foe looms for Casimero


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- Manny Pacquiao (MP) Promotions president Sean Gibbons is an eternal optimist, the kind of dude who will smile on a cloudy day.

Which is why, despite one postponement and a lingering pandemic, he remains hopeful that the much anticipated bantamweight unification bout between his ward, WBO champ John Riel Casimero, and WBA and IBF king Naoya "Monster" Inoue, will still take place sometime in September or October.

"It's still in play," Gibbons told PhilBoxing.com. "The team is still very optimistic."

But Gibbons is also a realist who concedes that there is a strong possibility that the bout, which had been marinating for months can be furloughed yet again due to the spike of COVID-19 cases in the United States, particularly in Arizona and California which borders the state of Nevada.

Casimero, who has been training in the U.S. for the past 122 days and had endured the postponement of the highly-touted fight's original April 25 date, is obviously disappointed.

But to suggest that Top Rank is somehow "ducking" him is simply not true.

The 118-pound unification duel is in peril of being postponed a second time because largely of the fact that Inoue, shackled by travel restrictions, can't make it to the U.S. from Japan until at least September, per multiple reports.

Another hiccup is the continued ban on fans from attending the potential blockbuster. Naturally, Top Rank, which is in the business of making fights and money, would rather stage such lucrative showdown at a more convenient time when gate receipts are in the equation.

So what now for John Riel?

Well, the 5-foot-5, 31-year old stud is continuing on with his training at the Bones Adams Gym in Las Vegas.

Gibbons presented the Ormoc city native a list of three fighters to choose from as an alternate foe in the event that the Inoue chase does bog down.

Pedro Guevara (36-3, 21 KOs) of Mexico is among the candidates. Raushee Warren (17-3, 4 KOs) of the United States is another.

Both are veterans, aged 31 and 33, respectively, with respectable records. But neither possess the youth and punching power of the third candidate --- Jason Moloney.

Ranked in the top four on the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF bantamweight rankings, the 29-year old Australian packs a stellar record of 21-1 with 18 KOs.

It would be interesting who Casimero picks as his next dancing partner.


Sean and Valerie.

HAPPY TRAILS SEAN AND VALERIE. Sean Gibbons first laid eyes on Valerie sometime in 1991. He hasn't looked at another woman ever since.

Together for 29 years, the lovely couple, whose union has been blessed with two wonderful kids --- Parker, 28, and Brendan, 21 --- had just celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary.

To borrow Gibbons' own famous holler --- Viva!!

While interviewing Sean two days ago I apologized effusively for doing it on a Sunday but he washed whatever guilt I felt with a simple response.

"No worries. This is what I do 24-7. Never a bother," said the dashing American with dimples the size of golf balls.

Accessible, friendly, and honest, Gibbons is a media darling.

And as his bride Valerie can attest, hand on Bible and eyes glinting with love, Sean is also unbelievably loyal.

One more time.

Viva!



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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 5 - ALI VS. FOREMAN IN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Raquinel and Zulueta Crowned ABF Champions in Bacolod City Homecoming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • GMs Quizon, Antonio, Laylo Vying in 4th Edition Eduardo B. Basilonia Invitational Open Rapid Chess Tilt in Roxas City, Capiz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • New York Stays Alive, Foils Indiana, 111-94
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • PLANT VS. RESENDIZ & CHARLO VS. LAMANNA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Álvarez vs. Crawford: "Champions of Champions"
    By Gary Todd, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM LAS VEGAS: MELIKUZIEV - 166.8 LBS., FULGHUM - 167.6 LBS.
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Former Champion Jaime Munguía Notified of Possible Failed Drug Test
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS AND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR MANUEL GALLEGOS VS. KHALIL COE REMATCH IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Championship Summer: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas to Battle Mexico’s Jorge Garcia for WBO Jr. Middleweight Crown July 26 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • José Sulaimán Honored as New Gym Inaugurated in México State
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Approval of 17 new applications sees membership of World Boxing surpass100 National Federations
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • SBA Scouting Tour Kicks Off in Cagayan de Oro
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Sampson Boxing Signs Openly Gay South American Boxer Oscar Bonifacino to Promotional Contract
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • OK-C you in the Finals Soon, Indy or NY; Thunder Oust Minnesota in Five, 124-94
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Remembering Don José Sulaimàn
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Manalo’s son Dylan secures victory
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Manny’s induction to proceed
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Hall of Fame Boxing Promoter Don King Wins $1.1 Million Purse Bid To Promote WBA Regular Heavyweight World Champion Kubrat Pulev Facing No. 2 Contender Michael Hunter On August 23
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Super middleweight division to open up, Darius Fulghum plans to make his move
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Boxing News Roundup: Tragedy, Comebacks, and Controversies Rock the Ring
    , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • Indiana Pushes New York on the Edge, Wins Game Four, 130-121 for 3-1 Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • Former Japanese World Champion Ginjiro Shigeoka Retires After Brain Surgery
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • Certeza Leads Antipolo Speedcubing Winners
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • CATTERALL VS. EUBANK + UNDERCARD LAUNCH PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Wed, 28 May 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.