[ad_1]
TOP Rank boss Bob Arum said the anticipated fight between World Boxing Organization bantamweight John Riel Casimero and unified world bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue of Japan could be held in February or March next year.
“My Japanese partner [Akihiro Honda] They said they would like Inoue to be up and running again in February or March, the first quarter of next year, and that’s what we’re going to do, ”Arum told BusinessMirror via overseas phone call Sunday from Las Vegas. And Casimero is a very good possibility [as Inoue’s next foe]. “
Inoue scored a seventh-round TKO victory over Australian challenger Jason Moloney at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday and Arum said talks about a unification fight between Casimero and Inoue came up immediately.
Casimero and Inoue were supposed to step into the ring in April, but the anticipated showdown was closed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Arum, however, doubts whether Casimero (30-4 record in wins and losses with 21 knockouts) could be ready for a fight with Inoue in the first quarter of next year because he only fought last September 26, scoring a win for TKO in the third round. about Duke Micah in Connecticut.
“He can’t do it for February or March, and that’s Inoue’s next fight. And if it’s true, we’ll consider him for that fight if he’s ready to do it, ”Arum said, noting that an Inoue-Casimero unification fight would be staged before a limited pay audience.
Arum was also elated by the performance of undefeated International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association bantamweight champion Inoue (20-0 with 19 knockouts), calling him the “younger version” of Filipino pride Manny Pacquiao.
“I thought Inoue looks tabloid, you know, it reminded me of young Manny Pacquiao the way he fought and is a tremendous fighter with great footwork, very fast, and hits like I’ve never seen a bantamweight hit like “. that, ”said the 88-year-old international promoter.
Arum praised Moloney for the tough fight despite being knocked out.
“He fought a really good fight,” he said. “But Inoue is something special.”
