Naoya Inoue vs. Johnriel Casimero - (Postponed)

[Ruthless-RKO]

MANILA, Philippines – Johnriel Casimero intends to accomplish what Nonito Donaire failed to do – beat Naoya "Monster" Inoue.

Sean Gibbons, president of MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions, wants Casimero to get a chance to realize his dream.

Gibbons disclosed during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday, December 17, that initial talks were already held and advanced negotiations are slated in Tokyo before Christmas.

"I will be meeting with Top Rank big boss Bob Arum and (Teiken Promotions head) Akihiko Honda in Japan next week and we'll discuss it (Inoue versus Casimero)," said Gibbons, also an international matchmaker.

During his last fight on November 30 (December 1, Philippine time) in Birmingham, England, Casimero stopped the highly touted Zolani Tete in 3 rounds, after which the pride of Ormoc City called out Inoue to take him on next.

Though the unbeaten Inoue (19-0, 16 knockouts) responded he's "interested" in a unification title duel with Casimero, the bout isn't likely to happen early 2020.

That's because Inoue, a three-division world champion, sustained facial fractures during his unanimous decision win over Donaire on November 7 in Saitama, Japan, and would need more time before returning to the ring.

According to Gibbons, Casimero has the tools to topple Inoue from his lofty pedestal and come close to clearing out the 118-pound division, where Frenchman Nordine Oubaali reigns as World Boxing Council champion.

"Casimero reminds of what Donaire was 7 years ago," said Gibbons, hinting the Filipino Flash was past his prime and yet gave Inoue, the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation unified titlist, some trouble in their World Boxing Super Series bantamweight final.

No wonder, Casimero (29-4, 20 knockouts) is confident when asked of his chances against Inoue.

Casimero believes if he can land one solid shot, Inoue will feel his power and will become vulnerable.

"A Casimero-Inoue fight is a match made in heaven…. their styles complement each," said Gibbons, who also represents IBF super flyweight king Jerwin Ancajas, IBF mini flyweight champion Pedro Taduran, and eight-division world champion Pacquiao.

If ever the Inoue-Casimero fight pushes through, Gibbons thinks it will be held in the United States because Arum wants to build up Inoue as boxing's next superstar. – Rappler.com

[RonaldoLugtu]

Goodluck Quadro Alas Casimero, from Sparks Boxing Promotions...

[margaret thatcher]

Fun fight

Would love to see this, then Inoue unify again vs the Oubaali-Donaire winner

[jujigatame]

This fight will be absolutely tremendous.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Naoya Inoue’s Top Rank debut is all but set.

BS.com has learned that the unbeaten IBF/WBA bantamweight champion is going to box WBO 118-pound champ Johnriel Casimero in a title unification fight April 25 in Las Vegas. Inoue’s first fight with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. likely will be televised live on ESPN, but it’s still possible it’ll be offered on ESPN+, the network’s $5-per-month streaming service.

The bout between Japan’s Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs) and the Philippines’ Casimero (29-4, 20 KOs) could be held at Mandalay Bay Events Center, though the site is not yet set. An official announcement of the Inoue-Casimero match will be made in the coming weeks.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Naoya Inoue, the WBA/IBF bantamweight king, against John Riel Casimero, the WBO bantamweight boss. This is a fight we are set to see unfold in Las Vegas on April 25th, according to a news story from The Japan Times, who report how word of this fight has come out of Inoue’s gym.

Together, the Japanese “Monster,” who is unbeaten, and the tough Filipino, who has been stopped just once, could serve up a great fight. Inoue, 19-0(16) has made a name for himself as arguably the purest puncher in the entire sport, while in his last fight – that November war with Nonito Donaire – the 26 year old answered some questions regarding his chin, his stamina and his ability to overcome adversity.

Inoue was hit and hurt in the Donaire battle, he was injured to the tune of a fractured orbital bone, and he was made to dig deep. For sure, Inoue proved he is not just a big-punching bully. He has a good chin and he can indeed take it like he can dish it out.

Casimero, 29-4(20) is a tough and hungry fighter from Manny Pacquiao country and he wants, and deserves, some big paydays. The three-belt unification showdown with Inoue should see both men getting a nice payday. But who wins the fight? The simple fact is, the way he hits, as hard as he hits, Inoue could possibly terminate this fight, indeed any fight, at any given point. Still, in the opinion of some fans, Donaire exposed as many flaws in Inoue as “The Monster” showed strengths. And Casimero is a tough guy who can also punch with authority, as his big November KO win over Zolani Tete showed.

So can Inoue get back to KO’ing his opposition, or will Casimero make the Japanese star work hard in going the distance once again? It’s a most interesting fight and Inoue Vs. Casimero could wind up giving us an early Fight Of The Year candidate. Also of interest will be how much fan attention Inoue gets in his U.S debut. Can Inoue sell out a big arena in Las Vegas?

[littlepug]

Love Inoue ! He just keeps getting it on with dangerous fighters fight after fight, no messing about with gimmes, the guys got greatness in his sights, wether he achieves it is another matter but he’s going the right way about it

[margaret thatcher]

Casimero is kinda an underappreciated fighter, maybe because he has some losses sprinkled in his record. He has a number of really good wins and does it away from home

There should be some good exchanges in this one. Oubaali--Donaire WBC winner would be a good next fight for Inoue, Oubaali would have the brotherly revenge angle

[Thomastearns]

Love Inoue ! He just keeps getting it on with dangerous fighters fight after fight, no messing about with gimmes, the guys got greatness in his sights, wether he achieves it is another matter but he’s going the right way about it

Inoue is simply awesome. This one coming straight after last year's fight of the year.

We boxing fans are privileged to have two such great but different fighters right now in Inoue and Lomachenko.

One's a throwback monster whilst the other's a modern day artist.

[Autobarn]

Casimero’s dangerous and unorthodox. Sometimes he seems like he’s waiting too long, then he’ll whip in some devastating punches.

Certainly he can hurt Inoue but can he put enough work in to win enough rounds?

Donaire, in his fight of the year defeat to Inoue, inflicted considerable damage, but mostly in bursts and he wasn’t able to sustain enough work to threaten on the cards.

That said Casimero is on the form of his career, grinding out of long and hard stoppage of Cesar Ramirez and pouncing on Tete, and we don’t know how Inoue will respond to injury following a gruelling win.

I never did figure out why Casimero quit vs Mthlane.

[Cent0089]

Inoue should handle this by stoppage, but Casimero is live, dangerous underdog. Naoya better be 100% prepared

[littlepug]

Love Inoue ! He just keeps getting it on with dangerous fighters fight after fight, no messing about with gimmes, the guys got greatness in his sights, wether he achieves it is another matter but he’s going the right way about it

Inoue is simply awesome. This one coming straight after last year's fight of the year.

We boxing fans are privileged to have two such great but different fighters right now in Inoue and Lomachenko.

One's a throwback monster whilst the other's a modern day artist.

Absolutely, the fans that don’t watch the lower weights are missing out, Inoue just suffered an awful cut and a fractured eye socket, if that happened to one of the higher weight boxers they’d be having a gimme on their fight back

[Onetimeonly]

Love Inoue ! He just keeps getting it on with dangerous fighters fight after fight, no messing about with gimmes, the guys got greatness in his sights, wether he achieves it is another matter but he’s going the right way about it

I'd say he's already achieved greatness, but yeah, he's going for legend.

[JxhDel.]

I have this feeling Casimero will force Inoue to punish him. Riel is a danger for everybody.

[Cent0089]

Fight is official, april 25

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 13, 2020) —A five-foot-five-inch, 118-pound Japanese monster is ready to take over the Las Vegas Strip. WBA/IBF bantamweight world champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue, the three-weight world champion climbing the mythical pound-for-pound rankings, will make his Las Vegas debut Saturday, April 25 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in a unification bout against WBO bantamweight world champion and fellow three-weight kingpin Johnriel Casimero.

Inoue is coming off a memorable decision in the 2019 Ring Magazine and ESPN.com Fight of the Year against future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire. This will be Inoue’s first bout under his long-term promotional agreement with Top Rank.

Inoue-Casimero and the 10-round bantamweight tilt featuring WBO No. 1 contender Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer Jr. and WBO No. 2 contender Jason Moloney will stream LIVE on ESPN+ beginning at 9 p.m. ET. In the final undercard bout on the ESPN+ stream, former super featherweight world champion Andrew Cancio will take on Tyler McCreary in a 10-rounder.

The undercard will air live on ESPN2 (7 p.m. ET) and will include the return of former world title challenger Alex “El Cholo” Saucedo in a 10-round super lightweight bout.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Ohashi Promotions, MP Promotions, TGB Promotions and SGG Sports Promotions, tickets priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25 (not including applicable fees) go on sale Friday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. PT and can be purchased online at www.axs.com or by phone at 888-929-7849.

“The ‘Monster’ is coming to Las Vegas, and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He is a generational talent, a fierce competitor who is ready to take the United States by storm. Casimero is a seasoned champion, and Inoue knows he’s in for a firefight at Mandalay Bay.”

Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs), 26, won his first title in only his sixth pro fight, knocking out Adrian Hernandez to win the WBC light flyweight crown. He is 14-0 with 12 knockouts in world title bouts, as he defended his light flyweight title once before moving up two weight classes to knock out long-time WBO junior bantamweight world champion Omar Narvaez in two rounds in December 2014. He defended that belt seven times before setting his sights on the bantamweight division. His first three bantamweight title bouts lasted a total of four rounds, as he catapulted up pound-for-pound lists with stoppages over Emmanuel Rodriguez and Juan Carlos Payano. The Donaire bout — the final of the World Boxing Super Series tournament — was the ultimate gut check, as he suffered a broken orbital bone before prevailing in an instant classic.

“It is a tremendous honor and a dream come true to headline a card in Las Vegas against a great fighter like Casimero,” Inoue said. “It is my goal to be the undisputed bantamweight king, and I am coming to America to put on a great fight for the fans. I would like to thank Mr. Bob Arum and MGM Resorts for making my Las Vegas dream a reality. Now, the work begins, and I will kick off my 2020 schedule at Mandalay Bay in devastating fashion.”

Casimero (29-4, 20 KOs), from Ormoc City, Philippines, is a newly minted bantamweight world champion who upset South African southpaw Zolani Tete via third-round TKO last November in Birmingham England. A world traveler, Casimero has won world title bouts in Mexico, England, China, Panama and the Philippines, in addition to interim world title bouts in Argentina, Nicaragua and the United States. He is on a five-bout winning streak and is in his physical prime at 29 years old. The Inoue-Casimero winner will be one belt shy of completely unifying the division, as WBC world champion Nordine Oubaali holds the final piece of the championship puzzle.

“This is my dream fight. I have traveled the world and fought in 10 countries. I’ve won world titles at 108, 112 and 118 pounds,” Casimero said. “But ever since I saw my hero and fellow countryman, Senator Manny Pacquiao, fight in Las Vegas, that has been my dream. To everyone who thinks I am the underdog on April 25, I will shock the world and show the fans who the real ‘Monster’ is in the ring.”

Greer (22-1-1, 12 KOs) has won 19 fights in a row, but as he heads into the most significant bout of his career, he’s made a significant change. After seeing his seven-bout KO streak ended with a pair of close decisions over Nikolai Potapov and Antonio Nieves, Greer has moved his training base from Southern California to his hometown of Chicago. He has reunited with former trainer George Hernandez and is training at Garfield Boxing Gym, the place where he developed from amateur standout to promising professional. With a world title shot in his sights, Greer is not taking chances.

“I know what I’ve done before, and I know that I’m capable of,” Greer said. “George is the perfect man for the job. We have great chemistry. I love being back in the gym with him. This is what separates the boys from the men. I’m just ready to show the world who I am. At Garfield, the young kids keep me hungry. They don’t care about my ranking or that I’ve fought on ESPN. Chicago keeps me humble. Thanks to Moloney for taking the challenge, and I look forward to getting busy April 25.”

Moloney (20-1, 17 KOs), from Australia, will be fighting for the second time away from home as he seeks a second world title shot. He fought for the IBF bantamweight world title in October 2018 in Orlando, Fla., dropping a split decision to Emmanuel Rodriguez. Moloney has fought three times since, securing a trio of knockout wins during a successful 2019. In his last bout, he blitzed Dixon Flores in two rounds on an ESPN+-streamed card that also featured his twin brother, 115-pound interim world champion Andrew Moloney.

“I’m extremely grateful for this big opportunity. Fighting in Las Vegas has been a dream of mine for many years, and I’m looking forward to having a very impressive win over Joshua Greer Jr. and moving another step closer to becoming world champion,” Moloney said. “April 25 is a very important day for us in Australia and New Zealand called Anzac Day. It is a day of remembrance, where we pay our respects to all those who have served and died for our beautiful country. I will do whatever it takes to win this fight, and I will dedicate this victory to all those who have served for us.”

Cancio (21-5-2, 16 KOs) had a dream start to 2019 when he knocked out Alberto Machado in February to win the WBA super featherweight world title. He stopped Machado in three rounds four months later, but he was dethroned in November via seventh-round knockout by Nicaraguan veteran Rene Alvarado. McCreary (16-1-1, 7 KOs), from Toledo, Ohio, is looking to bounce back from a unanimous decision defeat last November to former two-weight world champion Carl “The Jackal” Frampton.

“I’m very excited to start my next chapter with Top Rank on April 25 against Tyler McCreary at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and on such an outstanding card,” Cancio said. “I know how formidable an opponent McCreary is, but I’ll be more than ready to be victorious and put on a great show for the fans when I return to battle.”

“It’s another big opportunity, something I couldn’t pass up,” McCreary said. “He’s a former world champion, but he’s no Carl Frampton. This is a steppingstone for bigger fights. I have to get past him to see the bigger names. I learned a lot from the Frampton fight, and that experience is the number one teacher for me.”

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[Ruthless-RKO]

Jason Moloney-Joshua Greer set for April 25, supports Inoue-Casimero in Las Vegas

It was officially announced by Top Rank today that the co-feature to the Naoya Inoue-Johnriel Casimero bantamweight unification bout on April 25 will be another 118-pound contest between world-rated Jason Moloney and Joshua Greer.

Moloney, who is rated No. 6 by The Ring at 118 pounds, and Greer, who is rated No. 8, will serve as a de facto world title eliminator at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

“It has been a dream of mine for many years to fight in Vegas,” Moloney (20-1, 17 knockouts) told The Ring. “And now my opportunity is here, I couldn’t be happier. This is a huge opportunity for me and a pivotal moment in my career. I plan on making a big statement in this fight and I can’t wait to show the world what I am capable of.

“In regards to Greer, I’ve had my eye on him for a while now. I’m a humble guy who respects everyone who steps into the ring but I don’t like the way he goes about his business. He has created all this hype, coming out with a pillow and knocking over journeyman, but now he’s fighting a world class fighter. There’s only one person going night-night on April 25 and that isn’t me.”

Moloney knows victory is imperative and would put him on the cusp of another world title fight. In October 2018, Moloney ran then-IBF titleholder Emmanuel Rodriguez close before dropping a razor-thin split decision.

“It’s huge,” said the 29-year-old boxer-puncher. “I’m very aware of the size of this occasion and how important winning this fight is for my career. I’m training very hard and I will do whatever it takes to win this fight. This is my year to become world champion and nothing is going to stop me.”

Tony Tolj, who manages Jason and twin brother Andrew, as well as several other fighters, is very happy that this fight has been made.

“It’s a massive opportunity on a huge platform for Jason,” said Tolj. “Big thanks to Top Rank, Bob Arum, Carl Moretti and Harrison Whitman for getting this fight for Jason Moloney on his Top Rank U.S. debut.

“Big respect to Josh and his team for agreeing and making the fight so quickly. Come April 25, we will have the whole of Australia behind us and put Jason one step closer to becoming world champion.”

[margaret thatcher]

Shaping up nicely. Though I hope we see Inoue fight the Oubaali-Donaire winner this year and I hope a fight with the Greer-Maloney winner doesn't prevent it

Especially if Oubaali wins it's interesting, because not only would it make it an undisputed fight vs a good opponent, but there is the brotherly revenge too

[Finkel]

Ah man, they changed the venue to Vegas. I was going to get tickets when they previously announced it was at Saitama Arena on the Sunday.

Oh well, I guess I have the Olympics to look forward to

[Ruthless-RKO]

Top Rank bringing Japan's Naoya Inoue to U.S. now for April fight

With the coronavirus spreading across the world, the boxing industry is taking precautions with its upcoming events.

"Obviously, everybody in boxing who does international fights is concerned,'' said Bob Arum, who's company, Top Rank, has fights that are taking place abroad and also involve boxers who are flying in from foreign countries.

One would be WBA and IBF bantamweight champion, Naoya Inoue, from Japan, who is scheduled to face WBO titlist, John Riel Casimero, on April 25 in Las Vegas. Earlier this week, Arum met with representatives of Inoue to discuss how they would handle things in light of current events.

"We're waiting to get his visa, which should be next week," Arum told ESPN on Thursday afternoon, "and we're going to immediately bring him and his family to Las Vegas."

Then there is Thailand's Apinun Khongsong, who will challenge WBA and IBF junior welterweight champion, Josh Taylor in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 2.

After speaking to Khongsong's promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, Arum said: "We got him tested in Thailand, he's fine. We're bringing him to Scotland immediately, tomorrow, because we want him there and so forth."

The international health crisis has certainly had an impact on the decision-making in boxing. Several weeks ago, Top Rank had a card featuring Jose Ramirez and Viktor Postol for Feb. 1 in China, canceled because of the coronavirus. That matchup has since been rescheduled for May 9 in Fresno, California. For the time being, most plans for international events are being tabled.

"We still have a commitment to China, obviously we can't go there," Arum said. "We have somebody here now, a promoter from Indonesia, well, we can't contemplate doing anything there. So we're limiting ourselves to events in the UK."

[Ruthless-RKO]

"It's going to be a very good fight and I invite all the fans, they should not to miss it," Casimero said to George Ebro. "This fight is a dream come true for me. It's the biggest fight of my life, I've waited a long time for it and I think I'm going to win it.''

In Miami, Casimero has had the help of two boxing experts: Cuban coach Pedro Roque and Mexican strength & conditioning trainer Memo Heredia.

"Nonito is a great veteran, a great warrior who unmasked Inoue a little," Heredia explained. "That's something Casimero is studying deeply and a strategy is being worked on based on the mistakes Inoue had in that fight. Me and professor Roque are helping him succeed on the night of the fight."

He views Miami as the perfect location to prepare himself for the fight of life.

"Miami reminds me a lot of the Philippines... for its heat, for its humidity," Casimero said. "On the other hand, Pedro Roque is a very smart trainer, who is helping me to increase the power of my punch. We've also worked on improving my defense. I feel so good in Miami that I don't want to go to Vegas.''

[Thomastearns]

I feel privileged to be able to watch any Naoya Inoue fight. Same goes for Vasyl Lomachenko.

I believe these 2 in particular are the special boxers of our generation.

Casimero is good and ready, and that's great, but has Inoue fully recovered from last year's epic battle with Donaire?

Could so easily be another classic.

[Uppercut1]

Inoue by KO around the 8th round.

[Ruthless-RKO]

In addition, the April 25th bantamweight unification between Naoya Inoue and John Riel Casimero, currently hosted by Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center, ‘’may be done in a TV studio.”

[Autobarn]

If Casimero finds a way to win, and if Inoue doesn’t have a rematch clause, or suffers injuries that keep him out for a while, it could set up a big all Philippines Casimero v Donaire. A fight that Donaire could perhaps win. Has Donaire v Ouibali been finalised yet?

I favour Inoue to win, but Casimero will really want to test him with that sneaky power & could make it exciting,