Ni ANN ENCARNACION
MALAKAS na boksingero si WBO world bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero at batid ito ni WBC world bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr., na naniniwalang tatalunin niya ang kababayan.
Nakatakdang magbakbakan ang dalawa sa Agosto 14 para sa all-Filipino unification match na inaasahang gaganapin sa Carson, California.
“I know he’s a tough guy but I know I have the capability of knocking [out] anybody,” kumpiyansang sabi ni Donaire sa FightHype.
“My power — a lot of people even with (Naoya) Inoue, he came in very aggressive and then he felt that power and he was very cautious [after that],” pagmamalaki ng tinaguriang ‘Filipino Flash.’ “I believe that with my opponent feeling that power, they’re gonna be very cautious and not to try to open as much.”
Gayunpaman, tanggap ni Donaire na maaaring matsambahan siya ni Casimero. “But again, anything can happen, that’s the beauty of boxing. Anything can happen.”
Noong Mayo 30 ay ipinakita ng 38-anyos na si Donaire (41-6, 27 KOs) na hindi pa siya handang magretiro sa boksing nang pabagsakin via fourth-round knockout si Nordine Oubaali ng France at agawin ang WBC belt nito.
Huling lumaban naman ang 31-anyos na si Casimero (30-4, 21 KOs) noong Setyembre 2020, nang magwagi via technical knockout kontra kay Duke Micah ng Ghana.
Nagkasundo ang dalawang Pinoy world champions sa unification bout upang magkaroon ng pagkakataong harapin si Japanese Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue, kasalukuyang IBF at WBA titles holder.
Impresibong tinalo ni Inoue ang Pinoy challenger na si Michael Dasmariñas via 3rd round knockout nito lamang Linggo (Manila time) sa Virgins Hotel sa Las Vegas.
Kaya gigil sina Donaire at Casimero na maagaw ang mga korona ni Inoue at tanghaling nag-iisang hari ng bantamweight division.
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