Quijano: Congratulations, Johnreil Casimero

Saturday, February 11, 2012

IT couldn’t have come at a better time. With his birthday only two days away, Johnreil Casimero (16-2, 10KOs) stopped Luis Alberto Lazarte for the interim IBF light flyweight title in Club Once Unidos at Buenos Aires, Argentina.

No small matter beating an Argentinian at his own backyard, and a former world champion at that with an accomplished record of 49 wins, 10 losses and 18 knockouts.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

ATTACK. Casimero, who holds a three-inch height advantage over the 5’1” Lazare, was able to pick him apart from the outside.

Lazarte was his usual self, trying to wade in ducking low and throwing hooks. The fight was fought evenly in ebbs and tides, but Casimero was clearly the more accurate puncher.

In the ninth, Casimero landed several brutal right hands that knocked down the tiring Lazarte.

In the 10th, Casimero punished Lazarte along the ropes, which prompted the referee to take a look at the battered, unwilling local fighter and declare a stoppage.

Unfortunately, the partisan crowd took umbrage at the visitor’s spectacular win.

A few moments after the stoppage, Casimero perched himself atop one of the corners and raised his hands in victory. His handlers, apparently sensing the mounting hostility, quickly hoisted him down and brought him to the center of the ring.

That’s when bedlam ensued.

First it started off with a lot of pelting. Then it rained bottles, coins and stones.

Thereafter, the hooligans started ascending to the ring. One of them was wearing a hat and a shirt with the words “100% Peronista” emblazoned on his back.

First he tried to get it on Johnreil, then attacked a Filipino team member. Another guy was wildly swinging chairs.

The chaos spilled outside the ring. Fortunately, there were some cooler heads who tried to pacify the mobsters and Team Casimero was able to escape.

Look the video up on the Internet. From all the chairs strewn on top of the ring after everybody left, you could have sworn what transpired a few minutes before was a press conference and not a boxing match.

BACKGROUND. Not too long ago, in December 2009 to be exact, Johnreil was being hailed as one of the potential heirs to Pacquiao’s coveted throne when he knocked down Mexican Cesar Canchila three times en route to an 11th round TKO win for the interim WBO light flyweight crown.

However, in his next bout he faded badly against Ramon Garcia Hirales in a bout he was handily winning and was stopped in five rounds by Moruti Mthalane in his next bout.

In a comeback fight last year, he knocked out Roel Sentillas at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-lapu City.

Coming in to fight, the question was whether or not he learned the bitter lessons from his losses to prepare him for Lazarte. Obviously he did, and the Last Round salutes this Mandauehanon for his valiant and successful stand in Argentina.

POWER AND SPEED. Aside from the bruxism of youth, Casimero had the edge in power and speed, while Lazarte banked on an iron jaw and endurance.

In his 10 previous losses prior to that fight, Lazarte had only been stopped once by the formidable Thai legend Pongsaklek Wonjongkam way back in 2001 in controversial fashion.

However, Casimero hurt him on several occasions and dropped him easily. Age was certainly a factor in this fight and once again, youth was served.

LAST ROUND. With deep sadness I say goodbye to Atty. Francis M. Zosa, who was a long-time law office partner of my late father. He was a 1971 Constitutional Convention Delegate, and a bar topnotcher who had an encyclopedic knowledge of the law. He was not only my boss but a very dear family friend. He will forever be missed.

(jingo_quijano@yahoo.com)