THE Korea Boxing Member’s Commission (KBM) overturned the original no contest result of the Dec. 3 fight between Johnriel Casimero and Ryo Akaho at the Paradise City Plaza in Incheon, South Korea.
Upon review, the KBM decided to change the result from a no contest to a second round knockout (KO) in favor of Casimero.
“Boxing does not have a video reading applied in other sports such as baseball and soccer etc., but if the purpose is to aim for clean sports, the results are justified to change,” wrote the letter from KBM chairman John Hwang to the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
“The rules of competition cannot apply every situation accurately case-by-case. Because nobody knows what will happen in professional boxing. Therefore, KBM changes the result of the fight from ‘No Contest’ to Mr. Casimero’s ‘KO win.’”
The 33-year-old Casimero battered Akaho and accidently grazed the back of his head in the second round. Akaho couldn’t continue and the fight was declared a No Contest.
Akaho, however, admitted after the fight that it was really a knockout win by Casimero, thus, leading to the decision of KBM.
GAB accepted KBM’s decision and lauded its chairman, Hwang.
“The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) welcomes the decision of the Korea Boxing Member’s Commission to change the result of the December 3, 2022 fight between John Riel Casimero and Ryo Akaho from ‘NO CONTEST’ to ‘CASIMERO WIN BY KO.’”
The KBM has convened two deliberative committees and discussed the issue twice.
After its review of the fight and the evidence presented to it, the KBM has decided to declare a Casimero win by KO, thereby reaffirming KBM’s commitment to sportsmanship and fair play.
GAB commends KBM chairman John Hwang and his team for their decisive action and stellar leadership,” wrote GAB in its official Facebook page.
“GAB supports KBM’s decision and will continue to support the said commission in its boxing regulation functions. GAB likewise joins the KBM in wishing Mr. Casimero and Mr. Akaho all the best in their future endeavors.”
With the win, Casimero is now 32-4 with 22 knockouts, while Akaho dropped to 39-3-2 with 26 knockouts.