World Boxing Organization’s ninth-ranked super bantamweight Ryo Akaho of Yokohama Hikari Boxing Gym said at a press conference on Oct. 17 at a Tokyo hotel he will face former WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero of the Philippines on Dec. 3 in South Korea’s Incheon in a 10-round super bantamweight nontitle fight.

The fight will be promoted by the just-retired former WBO super featherweight champion Masayuki Ito, who has established Treasure Boxing Promotion. The fight will be staged at casino hotel Paradise City in Incheon, northeastern South Korea.

The 36-year-old Akaho, who is aiming at his third world title challenge after his two previous attempts in 2012 and 2015, said, ‘’I am excited because my opponent is Casimero of all boxers. I am determined to beat him.’’

Casimero was stripped of his WBO title in April this year by violating rules regulated by the British Boxing Board of Control before his planned title defense against Britain’s Paul Butler who eventually supplanted Casimero, who is now the WBO’s second-ranked bantamweight.

‘’I think Casimero is a kind of boxer suited for me. While I could not do myself justice in my previous two world title challenges, I think my ability will be recognized if I beat Casimero, who has a good defense technique by well utilizing his flexible body movement. I will analyze that aspect of him from now on.’’
According to Akaho, he will begin a four-day training camp in Tochigi Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, starting Oct. 18, and will then start a full-fledged training at the gym.

Meanwhile, Casimero said on video at the day’s conference, ‘’It will be a good fight since Akaho has a high KO percentage. If I beat Akaho, I want to fight with Naoya (‘’the Monster’’) Inoue.’’

Akaho has a record of 39 wins, including 26 KOs, against two losses and two draws, while the 32-year-old Casimero has a 31-4 win-loss tally with 21 KOs.

Promoter Ito said, ‘’I want to pursue real boxing overseas because I myself fought outside of Japan many times. I hope to promote this kind of big bouts on a regular basis.’’

Ito said he also has a big event planned either in next April or May. ‘’What is important is to promote real good fights not a mere entertainment,’’ Ito added.