Nonito Donaire: record, next fight and profile →
Two weeks ago, Naoya Inoue’s one-sided knockout win over Michael Dasmarinas came in the presence of two divisional rivals he’d love nothing more than to face in the immediate future.
Barely a week after agreeing to terms for one of the most anticipated bouts of the summer, Nonito Donaire has placed his principles ahead of a paycheck. The legendary four-division and reigning WBC bantamweight titlist has doubled down on claims from his team of their no longer moving forward with a planned bantamweight title unification bout versus countryman John Riel Casimero. The all-Filipino clash was due to take place August 14 on Showtime, with Donaire’s WBC belt and Casimero’s WBO title at stake, only to fall apart over drug testing issues and a level of disrespect that Donaire finds unacceptable.
Nonito Donaire isn’t merely viewing John Riel Casimero as his chance to unfiy, but rather a next step on the road to bantamweight supremacy. As previously reported by BoxingScene.com, the WBC/WBO bantamweight title between the pair of hard-hitting Filipinos is officially set for August 14.
John Riel Casimero and Nonito Donaire will be subject to the sport’s highest standard of random drug testing—assuming both sides still proceed with their fight. Drama surrounding the WBC/WBO bantamweight title fight proved for naught, as both boxers have officially enrolled in Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) testing. The two are currently slated to meet August 14 in a bantamweight title unification clash to air live on Showtime from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, as first reported by BoxingScene.com.
Naoya Inoue never underestimates any of his opponents, though he admits to finding additional inspiration upon scanning the crowd ahead of his most recent performance.
More than a year after being scheduled to fight him in this town, John Riel Casimero had the chance to see Naoya Inoue live in action in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Casimero’s role was limited to that of spectator rather than participant.
"The Monster" Naoya Inoue did it again, knocking out IBF mandatory challenger Michael Dasmarinas in the third round with a left hook to the liver to retain his WBA and IBF bantamweight world titles at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
Eight years after Nonito Donaire’s loss to Guillermo Rigondeaux, “The Filipino Flash” has replaced Rigondeaux in a big fight. BoxingScene.com has learned Donaire will face fellow Filipino champion John Riel Casimero in a bantamweight title unification fight August 14 at a site to be determined. Showtime will televise the 12-round bout between Donaire (41-6, 27 KOs), the WBC 118-pound champ, and Casimero (30-4, 21 KOs), the WBO titleholder, as the main event of a tripleheader.
Naoya Inoue always sensed he was in the presence of greatness heading into his fight with Nonito Donaire. What wasn’t realized at the time was the thought of Donaire once again landing in his sights as part of a quest to become undisputed bantamweight champion.
Brilliant Nonito Donaire surely punched his International Boxing Hall of Fame ticket – for the first ballot, no less – with his superb stoppage of Nordine Oubaali last weekend. The extraordinary Filipino scored one of the biggest wins of his decorated career to capture the WBC bantamweight title and move to 41 wins against 6 defeats since turning professional 20 years ago.