Casimero, Micah make weight for bantamweight title clash

Johnriel Casimero wants to prove he is peerless in the 118-kilogram division. MARK GIONGCO/INQUIRER.NET

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino champion John Riel Casimero and Ghanian challenger Duke Micah made weight Saturday (Manila time) for their bantamweight world title fight.

Casimero hit the scale at 117.8 pounds while Micah came in at 117.2 pounds.

The 30-year-old Casimero (29-4, 20 KOs) will defend his WBO crown for the first time on Sunday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, USA.

Casimero was originally scheduled for a unification bout with Japan’s Naoya Inoue last April before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Heavily-favored to win, Casimero can’t afford to let his guard down against Micah.

The 29-year-old Micah has knockout power with a record of 24-0 with 19 knockouts.

He is also an Olympian, having represented Ghana in the 2012 Summer Games.