IF a title fight between Johnriel Casimero and Naoya Inoue is penciled, the handler of the newly-crowned Filipino world boxing champion sees the bout being held in either Las Vegas or Los Angeles.
Manny Pacquiao International Promotions president Sean Gibbons believes a unification match between the Filipino and the unbeaten Japanese would be best suited to take place in the US especially after Top Rank recently signed up the 26-year-old Inoue, nicknamed “Monster,” to a multi-year promotional deal.
Gibbons joined the 29-year-old Casimero in the last session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum for the year yesterday at the Amelie Hotel-Manila.
The MP Promotions executive is looking at a possible unification fight between two of the best bantamweights in the world today by April of 2020, although that still depends on how quickly Inoue recovers from the facial injuries he suffered in his last fight against Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr., including a fracture in his right eye socket (orbital bone).
The Japanese (19-0, 16 KOs), who’s being promoted by Hideyuki Ohashi, won the World Boxing Super Series tournament with a 12-round decision against Donaire, but found himself in his toughest fight yet against the veteran Filipino.
“Gusto ko ng lumaban kay Inoue para magka-alaman na kung sino talaga ang magaling sa amin,” Casimero said.
