Only 21 and fighting in his first world championship bout, Casimiro is considered the overwhelming underdog against the veteran African, who is defending his 112-lbs crown for the second time.

But the Filipino remains very upbeat of pulling the rug from under Mthalane, 28, since arriving in the African country last Monday, according to his promoter Sammy Gello-ani.

Casimiro, born in Ormoc City, Leyte but now based in Mandaue City in Cebu, made the weight during the official weigh-in Saturday, coming in at 111.3 pounds.

The champion was slightly heavier at 111.9 pounds.

“He’s in shape and has high hopes of winning the title,” said Gello-ani of Casimiro, who owns a ring record of 14-1, including 8 KOs.

Mthalane (26-2, 17 KOs) successfully defended his title last December with a fifth round technical knockout of countryman Zolani Tete last December. He won the IBF version of the crown with a unanimous decision win over Mexican Julio Cesar Miranda.

But the African champion is best known for challenging Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr. for the same IBF flyweight belt in 2007, losing via a sixth round technical knockout.

His promoter Branco Milenkovic believes that had the referee not stooped the fight owing to the cuts suffered by Mthalane, the African could have beaten Donaire back then.

“He was very unfortunate against Donaire to lose on cuts in round six after doing very well in rounds four, five and six,” Milenkovic recalled. “We all know how good Nonito is and this should give the boxing world an idea of how good Moruti is.”

Gerry Ramos, Journal Online