Johnriel Casimero struggles to make weight ahead of WBO bantamweight bout

MANILA, Philippines–Johnriel Casimero needed extra two hours to make the weight but it’s still a go for his WBO bantamweight interim championship fight against Mexican Cesar Ramirez on Saturday at San Andres Gym in Manila.

The 29-year-old native of Ormoc was .8 lbs overweight during the first weigh-in held at Tramway along Roxas Blvd. Ramirez checked in at 117.6.

Casimero, who weighed as much as 147 lbs when he watched Manny Pacquiao fight Keith Thurman last month, was wrapped in a blanket and got impromptu haircut according to MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons.

When Casimero came up for second weigh-in, this time stripped of underwear, he tipped the scale at exact 118 lbs.

“I’m always stressed out by weight problems,” said Casimero who is looking for an impressive win here to be able to snag a world title fight once again.

The 29-year-old Casimero (27-4 with 18 knockouts) has won world titles in flyweight and light flyweight.

His trainer, Pacquiao’s cornerman Nonoy Neri, hopes Casimero hydrates well overnight just in time for the scheduled 12-round fight starting at 8 p.m.

Ramirez (18-3 with 1 KO) is a hungry 31-year-old who is looking to rise in the division.

“We can’t be overconfident because the Mexican wants to prove something,” said Neri.

The fight is open free to the public by Sen. Pacquiao who is also organizing the fight through his MP Promotions.