In a stunning and fiery outburst, former WBO bantamweight world champion John Riel Casimero has launched a verbal assault on Japanese boxing superstar Naoya Inoue, calling him a “coward” and demanding that he retire from the sport. The comments come just hours after Casimero claimed that Inoue is “avoiding the truth” about his recent fight against Ramon Cardenas — a bout which Inoue won by unanimous decision.

Casimero Explodes on Social Media

Taking to his official Facebook and Instagram pages, Casimero didn’t hold back. In a video posted online, he shouted at the camera:

“Naoya Inoue, you are a coward! You didn’t win that fight fair. Everyone saw it. You were exposed, and now you’re hiding behind your belts. RETIRE if you can’t face the truth!”

The explosive video quickly went viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of views within minutes and sparking intense debate in the boxing world.

Casimero, known for his brash personality and trash-talking style, also accused Inoue of ducking him for years. “You never wanted to fight me. You always found excuses. Now even Cardenas gave you trouble. You’re not the monster — you’re running scared.”

The Inoue-Cardenas Controversy

Naoya Inoue recently defended his unified bantamweight titles against American contender Ramon Cardenas in a match held in Tokyo. Although Inoue won decisively on the scorecards (118-110, 117-111, 119-109), some fans — including Casimero — claim that the performance was less dominant than expected.

Cardenas himself demanded an immediate rematch, insisting he exposed weaknesses in Inoue’s game plan. While most analysts agree Inoue did enough to win, critics like Casimero are using the bout as ammunition to question Inoue’s current form.

Boxing Community Reacts

Casimero’s comments have drawn mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike. While some support his callout and claim that Inoue has been protected, others see it as a desperate move to stay relevant.

“Casimero always talks big, but calling Inoue a coward is crossing the line,” said boxing commentator Andre Ward on a live ESPN segment. “Inoue’s resume speaks for itself. He fights the best — and beats them.”

However, others argue that Casimero is simply saying what others are thinking. “Casimero has been chasing that fight for years, and maybe this is the only way to get Inoue’s attention,” one fan commented on X (formerly Twitter).

Inoue’s Camp Responds

As of now, Inoue himself has not responded to Casimero’s accusations. However, his trainer and father, Shingo Inoue, briefly addressed the issue in a press interview in Japan.

“We don’t respond to disrespect,” he said. “Casimero knows how to make noise, but it’s the results in the ring that matter. If he wants to fight Naoya, he knows what he has to do — win, and wait in line like everyone else.”

Will This Lead to a Showdown?

The rivalry between Inoue and Casimero is long-standing. A unification bout was once scheduled in 2020 but was canceled due to the pandemic. Since then, tensions have continued to simmer, with Casimero frequently calling out Inoue in interviews and social media posts.

Now, with emotions flaring and public attention growing, fans are wondering if this could finally lead to a mega-fight between the two warriors.

Final Thoughts

John Riel Casimero’s call for Inoue to retire is as bold as it is controversial. Whether it’s a calculated move to force a fight or genuine frustration boiling over, one thing is clear: the drama surrounding Naoya Inoue is far from over.

And in boxing, where rivalries fuel legacies, this war of words might just be the beginning of a fight the world wants — and needs — to see.