Naoya Inoue was called a “COWARD” by John Riel Casimero for not accepting defeat and asked Naoya Inoue to RETIRE

The drama following Naoya Inoue’s shocking defeat to John Riel Casimero continues to escalate as Casimero unleashes a brutal verbal assault, calling the Japanese boxing icon a “coward” for refusing to accept his first career loss—and going as far as to tell Inoue to retire.

The heated remarks came just a day after Inoue posted the official scorecards from their 10-round bout, accusing the referee and judges of “cheating” him out of a fair result. The loss—arguably the most controversial of Inoue’s storied career—has now spiraled into a full-blown rivalry, with bad blood boiling over between two of the bantamweight division’s biggest names.

Casimero’s Explosive Comments

During a post-fight media appearance in Manila, Casimero didn’t hold back:

“Naoya Inoue is acting like a sore loser. A coward. If you lose, accept it like a man. Don’t cry on social media. Don’t blame the referee, the judges, or the weather. You lost. End of story.”

He continued:

“If you can’t handle defeat, then maybe it’s time to RETIRE. Go home. Enjoy your millions. But don’t ruin boxing with excuses.”

Casimero’s comments immediately went viral, further fueling the animosity between the two fighters and their respective fanbases. Social media platforms exploded with hashtags like #CowardClaims, #CasimeroCallsOutInoue, and #RematchOrRetire, as fans debated who truly won the fight and who’s tarnishing the sport with their post-fight actions.

Inoue’s Emotional Reaction to the Loss

In the wake of the defeat, Naoya Inoue—who was undefeated before this bout—posted emotionally charged messages online, including photos of the scorecard with questionable round allocations. He accused one judge of favoring Casimero “before the first bell even rang” and alleged that the referee ignored illegal shots and headbutts.

Inoue, often hailed as the epitome of humility and composure, shocked the boxing world by stating:

“I’ve never cried after a fight… but this one broke me. I fought clean. I fought to win. But I wasn’t allowed to.”

His response sparked sympathy from fans and even former boxing champions, but Casimero saw it differently.

“He can cry all he wants, but the belt’s in my hands. The crown belongs to me now.”

A Rivalry Reignited

The bad blood between Casimero and Inoue isn’t new. The two were initially slated to fight in 2020, but talks broke down due to COVID-related restrictions and promotion issues. At the time, fans were desperate to see a unification bout between the two knockout artists, but it never materialized—until now.

This fight, although not for unification, reignited their rivalry in the most dramatic fashion. Now, with insults flying and reputations at stake, the story between them is far from over.

Public Divided Over Who Really Won

The bout itself was a close and gritty affair. While Casimero pushed the pace in the championship rounds, many observers felt that Inoue had done enough in the early and middle rounds to secure the win. The official scores—96-94, 97-93, and 95-95 in favor of Casimero—left fans and pundits scratching their heads.

Legendary trainer Freddie Roach commented:

“It was a razor-thin fight. I gave Inoue five clear rounds. Casimero had the bigger moments late, but that 97-93 card was too wide.”

Others, like former WBO champion Tim Bradley, took a harsher tone:

“Inoue looked human. Casimero was relentless. He earned it.”

A Crossroads for Inoue

At 31, Naoya Inoue is still one of the most feared punchers in the sport, having previously dominated multiple weight classes with surgical precision and knockout power. But this defeat, and his emotional reaction to it, has some wondering whether the Monster’s aura of invincibility has been permanently cracked.

Casimero’s taunt that Inoue should “retire if he can’t take a loss” may be extreme, but it raises an interesting point: How will Inoue respond?

Will he bounce back with vengeance, seeking redemption in an immediate rematch? Or will this loss—and the sting of public criticism—create mental barriers that even he can’t overcome?

Inoue hasn’t officially responded to Casimero’s “retire” jab, but insiders say his camp is already in discussions for a possible rematch before the end of the year.

The Boxing World Weighs In

The boxing community has been quick to take sides:

• Manny Pacquiao: “Casimero did what he had to do. But I also believe Inoue deserves a second chance. Champions don’t fade—they fight back.”

• Teofimo Lopez: “Casimero came to fight. Inoue’s reaction? That’s emotion. He’ll learn from it.”

• Jake Paul: “Bro, you don’t cry on Instagram after a fight. Get back in the ring and shut your haters up.”

Even Dana White weighed in from the UFC side of the sports world:

“This is what makes combat sports great. Real emotion. Real controversy. I’d pay top dollar to see that rematch.”

Is a Rematch Inevitable?

Given the controversy, the fan interest, and now the personal animosity, a rematch feels not only possible—it feels inevitable.

Top Rank and Casimero’s promoters are reportedly already in talks to secure a rematch date in either late 2025 or early 2026. Both fighters would likely command massive purses, and the bout could headline in Japan, the Philippines, or even on a major Las Vegas card.

“If Inoue is a man, he will take the rematch,” Casimero said. “Otherwise, I’ll keep calling him what he is—a coward.”

Final Thoughts: Pride, Pain, and the Price of Glory

Boxing is as much about ego and legacy as it is about punches and footwork. For John Riel Casimero, this victory is career-defining—a redemption arc that places him squarely back among the division’s elite.

For Naoya Inoue, the loss—and the public fallout—could either destroy his mystique or fuel a historic comeback.

What’s certain is that the sport is richer for this rivalry. And whether you’re Team Casimero or Team Inoue, the stage is set for a war of redemption, revenge, and reputation.