Casimero Better Not Look Past Duke Micah
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 09 Sep 2020
If only Johnriel Casimero had any clue about Flash Elorde, he would not be talking so lightly of his Ghanaian opponent Duke Micah in the scheduled first title defense of his WBO world super flyweight title this coming September 25 in Connecticut, USA.
In a live podcast hosted by Pow Salud recently, Casimero virtually dismissed Micah as a potential pitiful object of his anger and frustration for the falling through of his much ballyhooed triple title unification fight in the US versus Naoya Inoue.
"Kawawa yang si Micah kasi sa kanya ko ibubuhos ang galit ko sa di pagkakatuloy ng laban ko ke Inoue," Casimero said in the hours long live internet interview with Salud and some sports vloggers.
Casimero is set to meet Micah in the supporting bouts underneath the main event featuring the Charlo brothers, Jermall and Jermell which will be aired by the Showtime in the USA via pay per view. Jermall will defend his WBC middleweight crown versus Sergei Derevyanchenko while younger brother Jermell will collide with Jeison Rosario in a triple title unification at super welterweight at the Mohegan Sun Hotel and Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, USA.
During the same interview, Casimero was asked how he ranked among the current crop of Filipino world champions and he jestingly rated himself number one ahead of Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Donnie Nietes and Jerwin Ancajas. He even mentioned Mark Magsayo whom he said as "magaling din" or really good.
Asked about his top five greatest Filipino world champions of all time, he rated Pacquiao first, with him at second followed by Donaire, Nietes and Ancajas.
No Flash Elorde?
Or even Luisito Espinosa who as recent as the late 80s won the country's first world title at bantamweight and also reigned at featherweight in the mid 90s. Casimero was already born and growing up at around that time. Oh well...
Elorde's glory years were back in the 60s yet but ask any foreigner about the best fighter the Philippines has ever produced and Elorde's name would most likely be mentioned along Pacquiao, Pancho Villa and Donaire, among a few notable others.
It is grossly disappointing to know that a boxer like Casimero who claims among his goals to put his name in world boxing history is so short sighted and minded about the country's glorious boxing past that he has no clue about Flash Elorde.
Had he known and been familiar with Elorde, he should know better than talk smack of his Ghanaian challenger Duke Micah despite how he feels about his aborted big fight with Inoue.
A memorable episode in Flash Elorde's storied career as fighter and holder of one of the longest record reigns as world champion were his two fights against a nail tough Ghanaian named Love Allotey.
Until Allotey and Floyd Robertson came along, Ghana was known only for a few local fighters like Roy Ankrah who were competitive only at regional levels, fighting for at most the African and British Commonwealth championship, though rarely winning.
Allotey and Robertson went as far as challenging for the world championship against Elorde and Mexico's Ultumio Sugar Ramos in the 1960s.
Elorde and Allotey first met in 10 round a non title bout held at the Araneta Colesium, Quezon City on August 3, 1963 with Elorde winning by close but unanimous decision on the scorecards of an All Filipino panel of judges.
The fight was so close that Allotey claimed he was "robbed of victory" while Elorde desired a second fight with his title on the line saying the Ghanaian was "tough and good but dirty fighter".
The rematch was held three months later, on November 16, 1963 which ended with Allotey being disqualified in the 11th round for continuously fouling Elorde in a rugged, slugging contest. When Filipino scoring referee Jaime Valencia which had the fight even at that point stopped the action and disqualified Allotey, the Ghanaian tried to attack him but was restrained by his own corner. An irate fan in retaliation tried to hit Allotey on the head with a soda bottle. Elorde was leading slightly on the scorecards of the two other Filipino judges but the Associated Press had Allotey unofficially ahead by two points.
Pinoy fans of old therefore knew Ghanaian fighters should not be taken for granted.
Ghana has since produced top flight world champions the tough likes of Azumah Nelson, Nana Yaw Konadu, Joseph Agbeko, Ike Quartey and Joshua Clottey.
Johnriel Casimero better heed this advise. Better yet, he should brush up on Philippine boxing history so he would not sound ridiculous despite his attempt at making light or humor of this very serious matter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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