Casimero stops Lazarte to win IBF title

Saturday, February 11, 2012

CEBU CITY -- Johnreil Casimero redeemed himself and gave his countrymen something to be proud of as he captured the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title Saturday in front of a hostile crowd of Argentineans.

Casimero’s career has been a rollercoaster ride as he lost in two world title fights in the past two years against Moruti Mthalane and Ramon Garcia.

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However, that didn’t stop Casimero from attaining his goal of getting back on top as he scored a 10th-round stoppage over 40-year-old former world champion Luis Alberto Lazarte in his own backyard at the Club Once Unidos in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Casimero decked Lazarte twice in the ninth round and once in the following round before the fight was stopped by referee Eddie Claudio.

Before the 21-year-old Cebuano’s hand could be raised, the crowd suddenly erupted and threw all sorts of debris at Casimero and his corner, coach Christopher Tepora and SGG Promotions head Sammy Gello-ani, while others attacked them with fists and kicks.

It was reported in Philboxing.com that Casimero and his team suffered some bruises but are now safe.

Casimero, the former interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight titleholder, improved to 16-2 with 10 knockouts and is just the second boxer aside from Pongsaklek Wonjongkam who has knocked out Lazarte in his 15-year career.

Lazarte, on the other hand, fell to 49-11-2 with 18 knockouts.

Casimero joins the ranks of WBO welterweight king Manny Pacquiao, WBO super bantamweight titlist Nonito Donaire Jr., WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria, WBO light flyweight belt holder Donnie Nietes and WBO Female super bantamweight queen Ana Julaton as current world titleholders of the Philippines. (EKA of Sun.Star Cebu)