Casimero visits his billboards along EDSA

Johnriel Casimero may appear to be boastful but he’s really a simple man at heart.

Silently back in Manila after a successful defense of the World Boxing Organization bantamweight crown against Ghanaian Duke Micah in the United States, all Casimero wanted was he be brought to the big vertical billboards bearing his likeness and announcing his triumph.

There were 4 of them along EDSA and Casimero, accompanied by ring announcer Mark Lontayao and Tribal Gear owner Dondi Manlulo, visited all on Wednesday, October 14, stopping for souvenir pictures at the main billboard erected by Tribal on Bonifacio Avenue in Mandaluyong City.

In separate posts on Facebook, Casimero said:

“Sobrang saya ko mga tol! Matagal ko ng pangarap to (I’m so happy guys! I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time).” 

Casimero’s other post stated:

“Nagpapasalamat ako at nakita ko na yung Billboard. Sobrang saya ko na nakita ko tong sobrang laking mga Billboard. Maraming salamat sa sponsor kong Tribal GEAR – Philippines! (I’m thankful to have seen the billboard. I’m so happy to have seen these really big billboards. Thank you so much to my sponsor Tribal GEAR-Philippines)!

Casimero, accompanied by his brother Jayson, arrived from Las Vegas on Monday night and his team is still working on his travel papers so that he could fly to Ormoc City and be reunited with his family either Thursday or Friday.

Backing his words with deeds, Casimero stopped the erstwhile unbeaten challenger in 3 rounds on September 26 (September 27, Philippine time) at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

In the post-fight interview, Casimero again called out World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation champion Naoya Inoue, daring the Japanese Monster to fight him in a unification. (READ: Casimero calls out Inoue again after round 3 knockout of Micah)

Inoue, who was supposed to be Casimero’s opponent on April 25 in Las Vegas, will tackle Australian Jason Moloney instead on October 31. (READ: Inoue to Casimero: You won’t be able to hit me)

Casimero spent over 8 months training in Miami then Las Vegas, hoping for the megafight that fell through mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. – Rappler.com