This past Friday in Japan, a press conference was organized to officially confirm the reappearance of Japanese superstar and pound-for-pound boxer Naoya Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs), who holds the unified IBF and WBA bantamweight crown. (photo by Naoki Fukuda).
As BoxingScene.com reported, Inoue will come in against WBO champion John Riel Casimero (29-4, 20 knockouts) in a high stakes unification. The contest take place on April 25 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
At Friday's event, AsianBoxing reported that Inoue said: "It's very exciting and I want to fight soon. It's meaningful to have a three belt match. My first fight in Las Vegas, I want to clear it safely and move on to the next. Las Vegas is the home of boxing and I'm proud to be the main event."
Casimero came back on the scene in full force last year, when he pulled off another upset with a knockout of Zolani Tete to capture the WBO title.
Regarding Casimero, Inoue explained - "He is a wild fighter with the fierceness of a Filipino. He has a dangerous, hard punch. I want to fight while paying attention to [his punching power]."
Inoue explained that he wanted to have a unification at super flyweight, but he couldn't get anyone in the ring.
"I originally wanted to fight in a unified bout at super flyweight. I wanted to motivate this king of matchmaking," Inoue said.
Inoue eventually moved up in weight and took part in the World Boxing Super Series tournament at bantamweight. He won the tournament last year with a twelve round unanimous decision in a very exciting fight against former champion and division veteran Nonito Donaire.
Casimero was unable to attend this press conference due to visa problems.