Reigning World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero warns Duke Micah to be ready when they clash on Sunday (Philippine time) in a world title bout, organized by Showtime and Premier Boxing Champions at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.
Still frustrated by the cancelation of his unification bout against International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue, the 31-year-old Ormoc native vowed to beat his former Olympian opponent to a pulp.
“You have to prepare seriously and brace yourself,” Casimero (29-4 win-loss record with 20 knockouts) warned the undefeated Micah (24-0 with 19 knockouts) in Filipino a day before fight night. “I am much better now after staying here training in the US since February. I really feel good, more than ever.”
Casimero’s handler Sean Gibbons, an international matchmaker and MP Promotions’ president, believes Micah won’t handle the champion’s power in the entire rounds.
“He won’t go the distance for sure. I don’t pick what round, but I am pretty sure he won’t last,” he said.
Casimero’s last fight was a smashing third-round technical knockout win over South African erstwhile champion Zolani Tete last November in Birmingham, London.
Micah, known as the “Baby Faced Terminator”, said he isn’t bothered by the achievements of the three-division champion.
“I’m so grateful for this moment. This is a massive night for me. It all comes down to this and we are coming to win,” Micah said during the fight’s news conference last Wednesday. “I have to stick to my game plan.”
“I expect my opponent to box and move. I’ve prepared for a couple attacks that I think he will use. I’ve never been more ready for a fight than I am for this one. Casimero is a good boxer, but I’m a different fighter than I’ve been in the past,” he added.
Originally, the Japanese “Monster” Inoue was picked to be Casimero’s opponent last April 25 in Las Vegas, but the pandemic ravaged all sporting events worldwide, causing the cancellation of their fight.
Their unification bout was canceled for good after Top Rank decided to select Australia’s Jason Moloney as Inoue’s opponent in November.