Casimero aims high, targets big names and possible unification

Reigning World Boxing Organization World Bantamweight Champion John Riel Casimero is now aiming for the head and seeks to reach way above the sky.

Just days after knocking out Duke Micah to retain his belt in the States, "Quadro Alas" wastes no time and says that what he wanted the biggest names as he aims for the main event when he visited the online forum of the Philippine Sportswriters' Association last Tuesday morning.

Known for his flashy nature and the ability of being the ultimate "dayo" for his entire career, the ever flamboyant Casimero is looking at three of the biggest names in two different scenarios.

Either remain at the bantamweight and target unified IBF and WBA Super champion Naoya Inoue and Cuba's WBA regular king Guillermo Rigondeaux or move up to face unbeaten Luis Nery for a shot at a world title in the fourth division.

The Mexican was on the same card as Casimero last September 26, and won the World Boxing Council's vacant super bantamweight belt in a unanimous decision over Aaron Alameda.

Incidentally, both Inoue and Rigo had beaten Nonito Donaire in various times, with the former retaining his title in Saitama last year en route to lifting the Ali Trophy.

“Nakahanda ako sa lahat ng laban. Basta ang dream ko ay mapunta sa akin yung apat na belts (118 lbs) – unification,” Casimero added, noting that he will be back home in Ormoc, Leyte in a fortnight.

However, it was Inoue that was in Casimero's mind all the time, after seeing the dream unification bout that was scheduled for April fell apart owing to the pandemic which locked down and locked out all of the sports in the world.

Yet he believes that the "Monster" was just evading him ever since the fight was called off.

“Habang tumatagal, lalong tumatakbo,” he said in jest, as he turned serious on his aim on unifying the 118-pound class, while at the same time he and MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons is looking for a bout with Nery on the higher weight class.

However, the known matchmaker minces no words on the Japanese slugger, while adding more tirades to Top Rank's Bob Arum for hiding Inoue for quite some time.

“The turtle doesn't come out of the shell. We haven't seen this guy in seven months. He's like DB Cooper, he disappears.”

Gibbons shared the thoughts of his prized fighter, as his performances speak to itself that leads to his ambition of being in the main event, no less.

“To me right now, Casimero is the most exciting, fun bantamweight out there. It’s no longer difficult. Showtime and PBC are so excited they want to know when they can get Casimero back on,” he said straight from Los Angeles where he was based.

Photo: Philippine Sportswriters' Association