FILIPINO boxer John Riel Casimero flashed his vintage form in a fourth-round stoppage win over Mexican Luis Nery in their super bantamweight showdown at the Aichi Sky Expo in Nagoya, Japan on Saturday.
A former three-division world champ, Casimero dropped Nery six times with his strong punches, including a vicious left hook that eventually ended the match in the fourth round.
Like he has been for years, Casimero taunted undisputed super bantamweight champ Naoya Inoue after his dominant win.
“I know Nery is a strong fighter, so with my victory today, it's as if I also defeated [Naoya] Inoue,” Casimero said during his post-fight interview.
“With my victory today, you already know why Naoya Inoue is afraid of me," said Casimero.
Casimero improved his record to 36 wins (25 via knockout), with five defeats and one draw, while Nery absorbed his third loss against 37 wins.
Meanwhile, Inoue sports a pristine 33-0 card laced with 27 KOs.
Casimero and Inoue were supposed to clash in a unification fight in April 2020 but the fight was scrapped at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Talks were made for the fight to push through but to no avail.
Casimero's weight-related issues that stalled his rise also prevented him from a dream fight against Inoue.
Displaying his old explosive form against Nery, the 37-year-old Casimero is back in taunting the 33-year-old Inoue. NIEL VICTOR MASOY