AFTER his amazing third-round technical knockout victory in the US on Sunday, reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero wants only the big fights, big names, and big paychecks.
The 30-year-old pride of Ormoc City is looking at World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Naoya Inoue of Japan and Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba at 118 pounds or World Boxing Council (WBC) king Luis Neri of Mexico at 122 pounds as his potential next opponent.
But it’s Inoue, the Japanese “Monster,” that’s in Casimero’s mind 24/7. They were supposed to lock horns last April but for one reason or another, the fight was called off.
Casimero thinks that Inoue is docking him.
“The longer it takes, the faster he runs away,” Casimero told Tuesday’s online Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.
He said he’s ready to face anybody thrown before him, even mixed martial arts legend Conor McGregor.
“I’m ready for any fight. My ultimate dream is to get all those 118-lb belts,” said Casimero, fresh from his stoppage of previously unbeaten Duke Micah of Ghana in Connecticut, who added he is flying back home to his family in Ormoc City middle of next month.
“Give me McGregor. I will fight him at 140,” he told the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and powered by Smart with Upstream Media as broadcast partner.
Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions joined the online forum from Los Angeles and said it’s no longer difficult for Casimero to land the big fights because of what he has shown lately.
“To me right now Casimero is the most exciting, fun bantamweight out there. Showtime and PBC [promotions outfits] are so excited they want to know when they can get Casimero back on,” Gibbons said.
With the big fights come the big paychecks.
“I want the big bucks. If they offer me peanuts, I’d rather not fight,” said Casimero, who is open to fighting in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s next fight.
4 comments
Casimero congrats .Pride of the Philippines
Casimero is an exciting figther to watch in the ring.
mayabang ka brod, pasimple lang tulad ni Pacman.
OK lang yan, Johnriel is of a different breed, unlike Pacman. I think yung angas niya is where he gets energy/adrenalin to perform above par. What’s important is he can walk the talk! Good luck to this Pinoy world champ.