Joshua Clottey, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) weltwerweight champion, has urged compatriot Duke Micah to surprise Filipino John Riel Casimero and become a world champion.
Clottey described the upcoming bout as a difficult one for Micah but believed the Ghanaian had what it takes to beat Casimero with adequate preparation.
World title fight
The undefeated Micah has been given the opportunity to challenge Casimero for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) bantamweight title on the Charlo brothers Showtime pay-per-view Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on September 26.
Reacting to the announcement, Clottey said the fight represented the biggest bout of Micah’s career and, therefore, tasked him to seize the opportunity to add his name to Ghana’s world champions list.
Prediction
“It is going to be a tough fight for him (Micah). Casimero is a dangerous fighter and a southpaw but I believe Micah has what it takes to defeat him,” Clottey told Daily Graphic.
“He must work harder for the fight. He has been picked to fight for the world championship just like Joseph Agbeko in 2007 and I think he can beat him.
“I believe they have thrown him in to be beaten, but this is boxing and you must always take your chances when they come. He has my support to give Ghana another world title,” he added.
The undefeated Micah is expected to make his first world title bout against an experienced puncher in Casimero.
Micah, 28, will hope to add his name to Ghana’s rich boxing history by defeating Casimero, who has not been defeated in his last five bouts.
Micah’s record
The bout will be Micah’s first appearance in the ring this year, having made a long return in 2019 with two victories. He went over a year without a fight due to a promotional tussle with Real Deal Promotions.
However, he managed to stop Luis Roy Suarez Cruz on his return in August 2019, before earning a 12-round unanimous decision win over Janiel Rivera last December.
Casimero’s record
Casimero, on the other hand, has won world titles in three divisions. The Filipino won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight and flyweight titles before moving up to win the WBO bantamweight crown.
He defeated Ricardo Espinoza Franko with a 12th round knockout to annex the WBO title in April 2019 and made three defences last year.
Casimero is yet to fight in nine months since destroying former South Africa title holder Zolani Tete in three rounds.
By Bernard Neequaye