JOHNRIEL Casimero gets to defend his interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title on Saturday night, Aug. 24, 2019 against Mexican challenger Cesar Ramirez at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila after making the weight limit in his second try two hours after failing to make weight.
Casimero tipped off the scales overweight at 118.8 pounds in his first try, while Ramirez easily made weight at 117.6 pounds.
Casimero was given two hours to lose the excess baggage. He weighed-in at exactly 118 pounds, the weight limit for bantamweights.
The 30-year-old Casimero is eager to beat Ramirez and fight the bigger names in his division. He wants an impressive win over Ramirez to get a shot against the WBO’s regular champion Zolani Tete. He hopes to unify all the belts at 118 pounds, one of the toughest divisions today.
Casimero won his interim belt after a 12th-round knockout of Ricardo Franco last April 20. Ramirez, on the other hand, is ranked No. 9 in the WBO. He is coming off a unanimous decision over Eddy Valencia.
Casimero, a three-division world champion, is 27-4 with 18 knockouts, while the 31-year-old Ramirez is 18-3 with 11 knockouts.
Meanwhile, Vincent Astrolabio (13-3, 9 KOs) defends his WBO Oriental bantamweight belt against Ken Aseniero (9-2-1, 5 KOs) in the main supporting bout.
Former Olympian Charly Suarez (2-0, 2 KOs), who made his pro debut this year, is also featured in the card against battle-scarred veteran Virgil Puton (17-12-2, 8 KOs). (EKA)