Analyst says John Riel Casimero should patch things up with his team, handlers

Veteran boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino is convinced that WBO world bantamweight world champion John Riel Casimero should patch things up with his handlers.

The 32-year-old Casimero, who holds a record of 31-4 with 21 knockouts, has been at odds with MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons.

He was supposed to defend his crown against mandatory challenger Paul Butler last December 11 in Dubai but had to pull out of the fight at the last minute after he was hospitalized due to viral gastritis.

The turn of events prompted the major sanctioning body to order Casimero to prove his illness within ten days or risk losing the strap.

According to Tolentino, it would be in Casimero’s best interest to kiss and make up with his team especially since the lack of key team members in his circle has seemingly affected his preparation for Butler.

“It seems Casimero is on his own. That is why I think everything became a mess because he lost key members of his team especially Memo Heredia, who brought him to tip-top shape,” said Tolentino.

“We cannot deny that Gibbons yields some kind of influence to organizers. Many are interested in that WBO title. There might be parties that prefer to see the title vacant than face Casimero because they know he is good.”

If Casimero loses his world title, Tolentino says he can forget the lucrative fights he is lined up for.

“The thing is, will Casimero swallow his pride? Will he reach out to Gibbons? What's at stake here is critical, his WBO world title. Take that away and his marketability takes a hit. Forget Naoya Inoue and Nonito Donaire, why would they fight him if he does not have a title? That is his bargaining chip,” Tolentino stressed.

“I hope and I pray that Casimero will be able to clear the distractions because he is at the peak of his career. He will never get this kind of opportunity, it is so hard to become a world champion let alone be lined up to some big money fights.”

—JMB, GMA News