When he steps in against Johnriel Casimero on September 26 (September 27, Philippine time), Duke Micah believes he’ll be up to the challenge.
“I’m coming there to win. This is my dream. This is what I’ve set my mind on since my childhood,” said Micah during the media conference call of Showtime’s five-world title fights pay-per-view offering.
“I’ve always dreamed to be a world champion and I’m so thankful to be taking on Casimero, one of the best boxers from the Philippines, because I know he’s a very good opponent. That’s what I want and what the fans want to see, so we have to make it exciting.”
Casimero, whose three-crown unification with Naoya Inoue on April 25 got canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be dangling his World Boxing Organization bantamweight belt against the unbeaten Micah at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.
If he gets past Micah, Casimero wants to renew his challenge against World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation champion Inoue, who opted to defend against Australian Jason Moloney on October 31 instead.
“If I get through this fight, I’m still hoping to fight for a bantamweight unification fight. That’s my dream. I’m fighting for my daughters and my whole family, so I’m ready to do my best,” said Casimero, who’s also training his sights on World Boxing Council titlist Luis Nery.
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Locked down in the United States since February, Casimero (29-4 with 20 knockouts) is training hard in Las Vegas under the guidance of strength and conditioning guru Memo Heredia, deputy trainer Lucas Sugar, and Bones Adams gym owner Clarence Adams, the former WBA super bantamweight champion.
“Despite the Inoue fight being canceled, I’m still very hungry. I’m excited to fight on this card and I look forward to all the big fights that are out there. First I have to get by Micah,” added Casimero, whose needs are being attended to by MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions president Sean Gibbons.
The 28-year-old Micah is a 2012 London Olympian from Ghana who holds a fearsome 24-0 card with 19 knockouts.
His level of competition is nowhere near that of three-division world champion Casimero, of course, making him the underdog in the 12-rounder.
Micah doesn’t mind.
“The people who think I don’t have a chance are not in my shoes. I know he’s a good boxer but this is what I’ve been doing since my childhood. Whatever anybody else thinks, I’m the one in the ring, so nobody else’s thoughts really matter. I know this won’t be an easy fight for me, but it’s what I’ve always wanted.
