BRUISED AND DISAPPOINTED CASIMERO RETURNS AFTER LOSING HIS IBF FLYWEIGHT TITLE BID IN AN UGLY, FOUL-MARRED FIGHT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 29 Jun 2015
Former IBF light flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero who lost in his bid to win the IBF flyweight title against Thai champion Amnat Ruenroeng in an ugly, foul-marred fight at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok Saturday night, returned home early Monday morning dejected by what happened with bruised and painful legs caused by the numerous Muay Thai style take-downs and an aching neck due to the numerous headlocks resorted to by Ruenroeng.
Well-known promoter Sammy Gello-ani who handles Casimero in partnership with international matchmaker and manager Sampson Lewkowicz told the New Standard/boxingmirror.com that he would formally write IBF president Darryl Peoples and Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker protesting the failure of referee Larry Doggett to stop the persistent foul tactics of the Thai champion which emboldened him to continue.
Gello-ani noted that American referee Doggett did nothing to stop the champion from repeatedly sending Casimero to the canvas in takedowns, constantly holding and grabbing for long spells and catching him in a headlock and around the throat several times.
He also pointed out that Doggett failed to call a clear knockdown in round three when Casimero caught Ruenroeng with a perfectly-timed left hook with the groggy champion allowed time to fix his loose laces that helped him recover while Doggett ruled a knockdown in the previous round when Amnat connected with a much less cleaner punch and dropped an off-balance Casimero.
Gello-ani said he would ask the IBF to ?preserve Casimero?s No. 1 ranking so he could use the nearest opportunity to fight again.?
He said referee Doggett was ?confused and didn?t know what to do? while he commended Casimero who he said ?tried his best in an ugly fight which was a combination of wrestling and muay thai and not boxing.?
Gello-ani and Lewkowicz said Casimero will be back in Las Vegas after one week and prepare ?for several opportunities? but dismissed the thought of a rematch since Amnat will never fight outside Thailand because he would surely be disqualified.?
Trainer Jhun Agrabio revealed he was taken aback because referee Doggett didn?t implement any of the instructions he gave in the dressing room prior to the fight and the managers meeting.
After his third takedown in round five, in which Casimero connected with a great counter left, Ruenroeng was warned by the referee after another takedown. Amnat followed up by pushing Casimero down near the corner and hitting him while he was on his haunches.
In round six Ruenroeng pushed Casimero through the ropes and almost out of the ring and then caught the challenger in one of his many headlocks.
An utterly frustrated Casimero who tried desperately to push the grappling Ruenroeng away to give himself room to punch tried to get out of the champion?s clutches by punching him on the thigh and catching him with a couple of low blows in the eleventh round.
Doggett continued his pathetic officiating when he called a slip by an off-balance Casimero in round seven as a knockdown. We timed a clinch in the same round with the TV 5 commentators Carlo Pamintuan amd James Velasquez that lasted 40 seconds while the referee stood in front of the two fighters and did absolutely nothing.
Doggett warned Ruenroeng once again for holding in round eight which was followed by two subsequent takedowns.
Knowing he was behind on points and the only way to salvage a victory would be by a knockout the 25 year old Casimero went after his 35 year old tormentor with referee Doggett going to Ruenroeng?s corner and warning them about the tactics of the champion before the start of the round and deducted a point from Amnat after a fifth takedown in round eleven when it was obvious it wouldn?t affect the outcome of the fight.
As Casimero tried desperately to catch Ruenroeng with one big shot, Ruenroeng?s tape around his glove came loose before he finished the bout with one final takedown even as Casimero nailed him with a big left which was too little, too late.
The two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist who had previously defeated seven Filipinos including Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation champion Rocky Fuentes who was also a victim of the same grabbing, holding and takedown tactics in a losing effort.
With the win Ruenroeng improved his record to 16-0 with 5 knockouts while Casimero dropped to 21-3 with 12 knockouts.
Casimero?s trainer Jhun Agrabio told the New Standard/boxingmirror.com in an interview long after the fight ended, ?we knew what Amnat would do but were disappointed that referee Doggett who told us in the dressing room that he wouldn?t tolerate excessive holding or other illegal tactics failed to keep his word.?
Agrabio claimed he told Amnat?s Filipino trainer Aljoe Jaro who came under fire for gloating over the champion?s victory that ?Amnat will win only in Thailand. Anywhere else he will be disqualified.?
Agrabio said ?nobody will beat Amnat in Thailand but he will kill boxing? because of his tactics.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boston's Wildcard Bid Hangs in Balance
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 30 Nov 2024AUSTRALIAN HEAVYWEIGHT TALENT TEREMOANA INKS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Sat, 30 Nov 2024Hard work, dedication result in victory says Casaljay
Sat, 30 Nov 2024Bautista, Sampaga dispute PBF crown
Sat, 30 Nov 2024The Year Ends With a BANG
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 30 Nov 2024Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai: Birmingham Barnburner
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 30 Nov 2024Experience gain from competition - Lim
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 30 Nov 2024EDWARDS VS. YAFAI WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 30 Nov 2024Victory for Swedish Boxer Genti Morina in Professional Debut – A Dominant Performance in Copenhagen
Sat, 30 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 287: RYAN GARCIA FACES RUKIYA ANPO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE BUT NO GO SIGNAL FROM GOLDEN BOY YET
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 29 Nov 2024Gaballo to fight again on Dec. 18 in Bula
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 202432nd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships: Team Philippines wraps up successful campaign with 2 golds and 1 bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 29 Nov 2024EDWARDS VS. YAFAI + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 29 Nov 2024Some boxers have no golds at stake
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 2024YAFAI: I'VE GOT MORE CHANCE OF KNOCKING HIM OUT
Fri, 29 Nov 2024