World Boxing Association ‘’super’’ and International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym, who was a guest commentator for the Aug. 15 World Boxing Organization bantamweight title fight between champion John Riel Casimero of the Philippines and Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba for satellite television company Wowow Inc., in which Casimero emerged victorious by a split decision, told Wowow he wants to face Casimero in his next fight.
The following is the question-and-answer session with Wowwow:

Question: What is your impression of the Casimero-Rigondeaux fight (in Carson, California)?

Answer: Since I have always wanted to fight Casimero, the result would be fine. Rigondeaux, who appeared to be avoiding mixing it up with Casimero in the fight. (The 40-tear-old Cuban was stripped of his version of the WBA bantamweight title once the bell sounded for the fight).

Q: What kind of fight were you expecting?

A: If Casimero would win it, he would win by knockout, and if Rigondeaux would win it, he would win either by KO or decision. So, I wasn’t expecting Casimero’s decision victory.

Q: What do you think was the chief reason for Casimero’s victory?

A: He did what he had to do since he had no chief reason to speak of. Either that, or he was in luck because the judges’ notions were divided.

Q: We guess Casimero’s victory has led to an increase in your motivation. Is that right?

A: Yes, that would get moving. With Rigondeaux, the fight would be less interesting, and that would so much drop my motivation.

Q: After the fight, Casimero was provoking you by mentioning you name. Were you offended?

A: Yes, I got that kind of impression, and the possibility of me fighting him has risen as well.

Q: Does his repeated provocation bothered you?

A: It would only have a good influence for me. Because, it would boost my motivation in fighting him without much ado (laughing).

Q: What kind of strategy do you have in mind if you come to fight Casimero?

A: My impression of Casimero, 32, remains the same even after seeing today’s fight. I will think about my detailed strategy when the fight with him is officially set.

Q: Casimero would probably come out strong from the beginning?

A: Of course, that’s what I think. If he comes out that way, the only thing I can do is to take on him. Who knows I may be decked or I may deck him until we really fight?

Q: This is the first time we have heard that ‘’you might be decked’’ even if it is your hypothesis.

A: Yes, that’s the proof of me fully prepared to engage him.

Q: There is another possibility of you fighting Casimero’s compatriot Nonito Donaire, 38, once again. What kind of fight do you expect? Do you think the result would be the same as before (in which the 28-year-old Inoue pounded out a 12-round unanimous decision in November 2019)?

A: In that fight, I got injured in my eye (right) in the second round. Since we fought each other once, Donaire knows my strategy and may or will change his strategy. The shoe is on the other foot. I also know his strategy. So, we don’t know if that would work in favor of me. I don’t think Donaire fought a same boxer twice either.

Q: Dou you have in mind someday you want to move up in weight?

A: I don’t know at this point in time because that’s the matter I have to think up after I have unified the titles of all the four governing bodies. I cannot decide matters that may occur six-month or a year later right now. At present, the bantamweight fits me perfectly. I plan to have a fight within this year and one more fight next spring. It all depends on how my type of physique will have changed (bigger) by then.

Q: Do you have any plan after moving up to the super bantamweight?

A: I have no idea at all. All I have in mind right now is I will have two more fights at the bantamweight.

Q: At present, how would you give your performance a score out of 100?

A: You can only do that after your have hung it up. Because, if you score 80 points yourself, you only have 20 points left in the future. That’s why I cannot do that myself.

Q: Let us put it this way then. Is there anything that you need right now?

A: I think I have many. But I cannot pinpoint what it is. During my sparring sessions with various partners, for example, I can find new ideas. At that point in time, I can find new things, and that is satisfactory for me.

Q: Do you realize that you are in a position to be under pursuit?

A: First of all, I don’t have that kind of thinking at all. The next two fights at the bantamweight will be against champions of the remaining two sanctioning bodies. If I move up to the super bantamweight division, it will be me who has to chase a champion in that weight class.

Q: We understand you have been doing ordinary training right now.

A: One month and a half have passed since my last fight. Since my next fight has not yet been set yet. I am being engaged in basic training to raise my overall level. I have been doing my roadwork in the evening because it is very warm during the summer time. This is to improve the quality of my training. We turn on an air conditioner during training at the gym so that we can be in tip-top shape.

Q: Finally, would you please inform us of the schedule of your next fight?

A: Either Donaire or Casimero will be my next opponent. The fight will be held within this year if the negotiations are held smoothly. It will probably be held either in Japan or in the United States. (Photos: Courtesy of Sumio Yamada and Wowow).