By Carlos Costa

MANILA, Philippines   —   Mexican challenger Cesar “Perico” Ramirez (18-3, 11 KO’s) and his team arrived minutes ago in here in the Philippines ahead of his world title battle against experienced Filipino 3-division champion John Riel Casimero (27-4, 18 KO’s), a battle set for this Saturday, August 24, in Malate, Metro Manila.

Taller than the Filipino, Ramirez, comes to the land of Manny Pacquiao, with the mission of dethroning the tough Casimero, 30, who makes first title defense of his interim WBO Bantamweight Belt.

“I am delighted to be here in the Philippines.   I came here because I like Filipino boxing, and because I want Casimero’s belt.   And I will get it,” assured Ramirez, 31, at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Though the job is a tough one.  

Casimero   —  who has reigned as 108, 112 and now 118 pounds interim champion  —   comes from an exciting last round knockout win over tough and young Tijuana slugger Ricardo Espinoza Franco (23-3, 20 KO’s) last April in Carson, CA; and the protege of Manny Pacquiao wants scalping more Mexicans.    

Ramirez of Tepic, Nayarit, has been in recent years battling at 122 lbss, currently reigning as FECOMBOX super bantamweight champion.   

His war against Casimero is his first one at 118 since Ramirez fought Ryan Burnett (20-1, 10 KO’s) three years ago in Leeds, England. Coming down in weight could be a trouble for Ramirez?    His fans hope not.

Ramirez is in the Philippines together with his manager Victor “Vitoques” Martinez and his coach Francisco “Yiyo” Bracamontes.

Later in the evening, the Mexicans were greeted at their Manila hotel by promoter/matchmaker former boxer Sean Gibbons, president of Pacquiao’s MP Promotions.   

Gibbons, 52, has planned a presser to introduce Cesar Ramirez to the Filipino sports media.   The activity is set for tomorrow, Sunday, August 18 at 11:30 amat “Plaza Mexico,” a historic riverside square here in Manila.

The square was named Plaza de Mexicoduring the celebrations of the Year of Mexican-Philippine Friendship in 1964.

The Casimero vs Ramirez rumble for the interim WBO Bantamweight belt at San Andres Sports Complex in Metro Manila is a production of MP Promotions in association with Filipino TV channel ABS CBN, Raides J Neri and JC Manangquil’s Sanman Promotions.

May the Best Man Win!

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter based in the Philippines.   Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.comand whatsapp +639184538152.