Casimero fight could still be made despite mandatories, says Donaire

There is a glimmer of hope for the historic all-Filipino unification showdown between WBC world bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. and WBO world bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero.

Donaire and Casimero were supposed to lock horns last August, but the former pulled the plug due to random drug testing disputes and after he felt "disrespected" by the camp of the prizefighter hailing from Ormoc City.

Donaire, a four-division world champion, was ready to give it another go and signed for a bout to take place, but Casimero said that a contract never reached him. Apparently, there is an ongoing dispute between Casimero and MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons.

"There is definitely a possibility but they would have to work out their issues in their camp and the promotion. They need to resolve the issues and hope he trains to fight. I think anything is possible as long as both camps are open to it," said Donaire.

"We are ready, we have signed the contract, but obviously they are having issues because [Casimero] did not receive a contract to sign for the fight. But again, it remains a possibility after our mandatories as long as we both win."

In the aftermath of a fight that fell apart between the two Filipinos, the WBC named Reymart Gaballo as the mandatory challenger to Donaire. At the same time, the WBO also mandated Casimero to defend his title against Paul Butler.

According to Donaire, a fight with Casimero remains a possibility if they will negotiate a step aside fee for their respective opponents. But doing so is easier said than done, according to Donaire's wife and manager Rachel.

"For me, I would say there is less of a chance. It has nothing to do with the step aside or how much they have to pay Gaballo. It really has to do with the fight between MP Promotions' Sean Gibbons [and Casimero]," Rachel said.

"With the video Gibbons put out, it seems like there is bad blood between them. How do they go forward and say, 'I do not like you, I do not want to work with you, but I need this fight?'"

—MGP, GMA News