MANILA, Philippines - Johnriel Casimero should consider himself lucky after he pulled off a split decision over challenger Pedro Guevara yesterday right in the latter’s hometown in Mazatlan, Sinalao in Mexico.
Two judges scored it 116-111 and 114-113 for Casimero while the other one had it 114-113 for Guevara, just enough for the 22-year-old Filipino to keep his IBF light-flyweight crown.
Casimero, who loves to fight on foreign soil, sent Guevara down on the floor in the first round, but had to fight hard the rest of the way to remain the world champion.
“We are happy that Casimero got the nod of the judges,” the boxer’s manager, Sammy Gello-ani, said in a text message to The STAR right after the fight.
“We knew that Guevara would run but still Casimero was not able to stop him. But we are all happy with his performance. He has proven he is a champion,” he added.
Nothing untoward followed the decision.
When Casimero knocked out Luis Lazarte in Argentina last February, an ugly riot ensued as Argentinian fight fans threw chairs and other debris onto the ring.
A couple of fans managed to slip in and tried to gang up on Gello-ani and Casimero’s trainer, Pingping Tepora. The police had to restrain the fans, and the Filipinos were spared from any serious injury.
Mexican fight fans took Guevara’s loss in stride.
Gello-ani said Casimero was aware of Filipino boxer Mark Anthony Barriga’s bitter loss in the quarterfinals of the London Olympics.
“Alam niya na natalo si Barriga (He knew that Barriga lost). Masakit nga ang pagkatalo (It was a painful defeat),” said Gello-ani.
Casimero, who was awarded the IBF crown more than two weeks ago after Mexican Ulises Solis was stripped of the title, is coming home on Wednesday via Philippine Airlines.
Casimero’s victory made it 3-for-3 for Filipino boxers over the weekend.
Lightweight Merico Gesta stopped American Ty Barnett in the ninth round at the Texan Station Casino in Las Vegas while Ana Julaton scored a sensational knockout win over Abigail Ramos in Yukatan, Mexico the other day.
Ramos was gone in 20 seconds, and the crowd gave Julaton a standing ovation. It was recorded as the quickest knockout ever seen in Yukata.
“I didn’t know what to expect tonight, I am happy with the result but more happy that everyone came out of the ring safe,” Julaton told The Examiner.