Veteran trainer Nonoy Neri advises John Riel Casimero to hire a new trainer

Veteran boxing trainer Nonoy Neri has advised former three-division world champion John Riel Casimero to hire a new trainer following his performance against Yukinori Oguni last week in his debut in Japan.

Casimero, a favorite against the inactive Japanese, lost steam as early as round two and was getting beat by Oguni in the second and third round. An accidental clash of heads in round 4 drew a cut on Oguni, ending the bout via technical draw.

For Neri, who is a key member of Team Pacquiao and Casimero's former trainer, the Ormoc native is not the same fighter.

“I am seeing a different John Riel. He lost the snap in his punches. He really needs strength and conditioning and a nutritionist. I think he needs a new trainer so he has to change everything from trainer and strength and conditioning,” Neri said in an interview on Sparring Sessions.

“If he finds himself a new trainer and conditioning coach, he will be back. He needs a head trainer. His brother Jayson will be there, but there has to be a head trainer. John Riel knows this, he has been in boxing for a long time.”

The 34-year-old Casimero currently trains under the tutelage of his brother Jayson. According to Neri, Casimero does not have to fire his brother but rather add manpower to his team for the benefit of the Filipino prizefighter.

“If Jayson wants his brother's career to be a success, he has to give way. It is for their family,” Neri quipped.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News