Cebu boxer sparks riot in Argentina

CEBU, Philippines - An ugly riot broke out after Johnriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero halted Argentina’s Luis Alberto Lazarte in the 10th round for the vacant IBF light flyweight title in Buenos Aires yesterday.

It was a chaotic victory for the Ormoc City native, who dropped hometown favorite Lazarte twice in the ninth round at the jam-packed Club Once Unidos in Mar del Plata in Argentina’s capital.

Even before referee Eddie Claudio could formally declare the winner, an army of disgruntled Argentine fans rushed to the ring and attacked Casimero and his team.

Even the IBF officials, led by fight supervisor Anibal Miramontes, and some cooler heads who attempted to calm down the situation were not spared by the wrath of angry fans.

Videos of the disgraceful incident, which became an instant hit in various social networking sites, showed Casimero, his manager Sammy ‘Don King” Gello-ani and trainer Pingping Teropa scampering for safety as chairs, bottles and wayward punches were flying all over the arena at the height of the melee.

Gello-ani’s wife Cora told The Freeman that her husband, Casimero and Tepora sustained only minor injuries.

“They’re okay now and are resting at their hotel room. They no longer had to go to the hospital because they only suffered minor injuries. They were also given police escorts to ensure their safety,” said Cora.

The two warriors actually fought on even terms until Casimero rattled Lazarte with a powerful shot to the chin at the end of round nine, hurting the Argentine who barely had the ability to stand in the 10th.

Prior to the stoppage, Lazarte was slapped with one-point deduction for biting Casimero in the neck in sixth round.

Casimero, of Omega Boxing stable based in Mabolo, Cebu City, also lost points for fouls in the fourth and eighth rounds.

Casimero, who will turn 22 years old tomorrow, improved his record to 16-2 with 10 KOs, while Lazarte fell to 49-11-2 (18 KOs). (FREEMAN)