Casimero wins by split verdict to keep IBF title

CEBU, Philippines - Johnriel 'Quadro Alas' Casimero scraped through a split decision victory over the previously undefeated Mexican challenger Pedro Guevara to retain his IBF light flyweight crown yesterday at the Convention Center in Guevara’s hometown of Mazatlan in Sinaloa, Mexico.         

It was a sweet redemption of sort for the 23-year-old Casimero, who lost his WBO light flyweight crown also by split verdict to Ramon Garcia Hirales the last he fought on Mexican soil.

Casimero and Guevara figured in an intense exchange of blows for 12 grueling rounds, but it was the pride of Ormoc City who got the judges' nod for his fortitude and craftiness.

One judge saw the bout 114-113 for Guevara, but the two judges scored 114-113 and 116-111 for Casimero, who improved his record to 17-2-1 (10KOs). Guevara saw his 20-fight winning streak come to a screeching halt.

Casimero floored Guevara early on with a left hook, which he followed up with a crushing right uppercut that sent the Mexican down at the seat of his pants for a mandatory eight count.

Guevara went down the canvas twice in the 10th round, but the referee ruled both as slips.

Unlike in his previous win over Luis Alberto Lazarte last February 10 in Argentina where angry fans stoked an ugly riot, the Mexicans were gracious enough in accepting defeat of their hometown icon.

“Casimero's win wasn't met with a celebratory reaction, but the fans on hand knew where to draw the line between displeasure over the decision and disdain for the winning fighter,” said Jake Donovan of boxingscene.com (FREEMAN)