Casimero-Inoue mega-bout not likely to push through

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

After months of waiting for Top Rank Promotions’ final decision, the Johnriel Casimero-Naoya Inoue fight seems unlikely to happen this 2020.

Top Rank management released a statement that the Japanese slugger would not be able to fly to the US until September due to the complications brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Casimero’s head trainer Nonoy Neri also anticipated that the fight would not push through, opting to fly home to the Philippines ahead of his fighter.

Casimero and his camp has been in the US since February, training hard and hoping that the blockbuster fight would materialize.

With the future of the Casimero-Inoue bout uncertain, American Rau’shee Warren has been rumored to be the next opponent for the PH pride.

Although not as high-ranked as Inoue, the American boxer boasts a ton of experience after representing his country to three Olympics: Athens, Beijing, and London.

Under his belt, Warren was also the former World Boxing Association and International Boxing Organization champion in the bantamweight division, holding a record of 17-3.

However, the Casimero camp is still waiting for the decision of their promoter, Manny Pacquiao (MP) promotions as to their next move.