Former two-division title-holder Luis “Pantera” Nery (36-2, 28 KOs) has signed a co-promotion agreement with Koki Kameda’s 3150 Promotions, a move that signals the Mexican southpaw’s return to the Japanese market and sparks talk of an all-action meeting with newly-signed stable-mate John Riel Casimero (34-4-1, 23 KOs).
Nery twice stopped Shinsuke Yamanaka in Japan in 2017-18 but was subsequently barred by the Japanese Boxing Commission for missing weight in their rematch. The ban was lifted last year to allow Naoya Inoue’s homecoming defence, in which Nery became the first man to floor the “Monster” before falling by sixth-round stoppage.
Watch Inoue vs. Nery full fight: Watch
Rehabilitated in the eyes of Japanese fans following that spirited effort, Nery returned home to halt Kyonosuke Kameda in Tijuana. Announcement sees him join Casimero - the Filipino “Bad Boy” who signed with Kameda’s outfit days earlier - under the 3150 Promotions/LushBomu banner.
With both men campaigning at 122 lbs and eyeing another title run, negotiations are expected to begin for a Nery-Casimero bout later this year, potentially staged in Japan where their shared notoriety and fan-friendly styles could deliver a sizeable box-office event.
Image Credit: ESPN