FARCICAL WEIGH-IN WHERE BOTH CASIMERO AND CHAMPION RUENROENG WERE OVER THE FLYWEIGHT LIMIT BUT IBF ALLOWS TITLE FIGHT TO GO ON
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 May 2016
In what the Bangkok Post described as ?a farcical? weigh in which both IBF flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand and challenger and former light flyweight champion John Reil Casimero were overweight, the IBF reportedly made a turn around on the request of the Chinese promoter and allowed the title fight to continue, claiming that the fighters were again weighed in their hotel and made the 112 pound limit while ordering another weigh-in this morning, hours before the title fight in Beijing.
In fact the Bangkok Post reporter Kittipong Thongsombat reported that Amnat apologized to his Thai fans and said this may be his last fight.
The 36 year old Thai initially lost his title on the scales after he weighed in at 117.34 pounds at the first attempt and 116.1 pounds at the second while Casimero also failed to make the limit weighing in at 113.32 on his first trip to the scales and 113.10 at the second try.
Casimero was some four pounds over the 112 pound limit when he left Manila for Beijing early Sunday after a final workout on Saturday.
Amnat said ?the weather was cold today and made it difficult for me to make the weight? which was the same excuse Casimero used during his final two days in Manila when the rains prevented him from doing his roadwork and also hampered his efforts to shed off excess poundage in the gym despite wearing a thermal suit.
Amnat however promised ?I will do my best later today.?
The Bangkok Post said ?later yesterday (Tuesday) after the organizers' intervention, the IBF made a U-turn and gave the green light for the bout to take place as a title fight.
Boxing Scene quoted IBF spokesperson Jeanette Salazar who explained that the weight issue arose after ?a mock weigh-in with the back drop of the Great Wall. Unfortunately, that wasn't properly communicated. It's not the most level ground or truly ideal for a real weigh-in. They were weighed at 4:30pm (local time) back at the hotel and both made weight."
Regrettably the media was not informed so they were not present at the hotel weigh-in to verify what took place.
The rematch was sanctioned by the IBF after a foul-infested bout in Thailand some eleven months ago when referee Larry Doggett was bitterly criticized for his lousy performance in which he failed to sanction Amnat for several infractions including two takedowns while calling a clear push by Amnat as a knockdown and
failing to call a timely left hook that dropped Amnat, a knockdown.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Kittipayak is new WBF World heavyweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 28 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Spurs Dominate Raptors 121-103
By Reylan Loberternos, Tue, 28 Oct 2025National Master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. rules Moonroast chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Oct 2025VISOLI HEADLINES DECEMBER 17 FESTIVE FIGHT NIGHT IN LONDON FEATURING AYTON, BEVAN, MITCHELL AND MORE AS HEDGES COLLIDES WITH ZORRO FOR ENGLISH TITLE – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 28 Oct 2025Filipino Fighters Unite for Pacquiao’s “Thrilla in Manila” 50th Anniversary Celebration
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 28 Oct 2025Manny Pacquiao joins International Boxing Association as Vice President
Tue, 28 Oct 2025“THE BLACK HULK” BILAL SEIDU CHASING CHAMPIONSHIP GLORY IN THUNDERDOME 52 MAIN EVENT REMATCH
Tue, 28 Oct 2025GM Joey remains on top
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Oct 2025Gensan boxers waxed hot
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 28 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Spurs Fil-Am Rookie Dylan Harper Sparks Spurs Win Over Nets 118-107
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 27 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 22: JOE FRAZIER AFTER THRILLA
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 27 Oct 2025The Century Man: Jake Pollard and the Art of Losing Well
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 27 Oct 2025Taduran Dominates Balunan to Retain IBF Minimumweight Crown
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 26 Oct 2025GM Antonio outwits Kazakh GM, shares lead
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 26 Oct 2025Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025