FILIPINO world champion John Riel “Quadro Alas” Casimero threw a shot at his rival anew after Naoya Inoue of Japan defended his IBF and WBA bantamweight crowns in Las, Vegas on Sunday morning.
The WBO bantamweight titlist Casimero (30-4, 21 knockouts) taunted Inoue in his Facebook post saying that the Japanese fighter failed to hurt his opponent Jason Moloney.
“Congratulations, Inoue. Sabi nila malakas ka, hindi mo manlang nasaktan kalaban mo (They said you were strong, but you were not even able to hurt your opponent),” posted in a jest from his hometown in Ormoc City, where he will be spending the rest of the year while waiting for the go-signal for his next fight.
Inoue, who improved to an impressive 20-0, 17KOs record after knocking out Moloney in the seventh round, said that his next goal is to unify the bantamweight crowns.
The WBO strap is at the hands of Casimero while the WBC is held by Moroccan Nordine Obaali.
The much-awaited Casimero-Inoue bout did not push through earlier this year due to complications brought by the Covid-19 pandemic as Inoue would not be able to fly in the United States until September.
This forced both camps to look somewhere else for their opponents. Casimero made quick work of Duke Micah, knocking out the former Olympian in the third round to retain his WBO belt.
After the bout, the 30-year-old Casimero called out Inoue, saying that Inoue is no monster but a Japanese turtle. He accused Inoue of dodging to fight him and liken the act similar to a turtle who hides his head inside a shell.
In a quick interview with The Manila Times, head coach Jayson Reponte Casimero of Team Casimero said that Inoue is the biggest target for them.
He said that Luis Nery is also one prospect. But they will stay at 118 pounds.
