World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero has been baiting WBA, IBF world champion Naoya Inoue.
The two boxers were scheduled to fight each other this month, in Las Vegas, but the contest was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. At the moment there is no telling when or where this contest will end up.
“Inoue, just train hard in order [for us to] have a good fight,” Casimero said in a message to his rival, while speaking to The Manila Times.
After watching Inoue’s last performance, where he was tagged a few times by Nonito Donaire, Casimero believes that he can knock the Japanese sensation out.
Casimero captured the title back in November, when he blew away betting favorite Zolani Tete in three rounds.
“I hope your jaw will last several rounds unlike Tete’s that was shattered easily,” added Casimero (29-4, 20 knockouts).
While Inoue returned to Japan, Casimero decided to stay in Las Vegas with trainer Nonoy Neri, his brother Jayson and Ting Sugar Ariosa.
“I have nothing to do in the Philippines and that’s why I decided to stay and just train here for the people who believe in me. They might also announce a new fight schedule soon,” Casimero said.
The 31-year old Casimero said his training goal is to maintain his fighting weight, in the event a new date comes sooner than later.
“It’s good to stay hungry [so you can] just go for the kill when the fight comes,” said Casimero.