IBF BANS LUIS LAZARTE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 17 Feb 2012
The International Boxing Federation has banned former world junior light flyweight champion Luis Lazarte for life following the post-fight riot after Johnriel Casimero won the interim world title during which Lazarte threatened American referee Eddie Claudio for deducting a point from him in a foul-infested bout in Mar del Plata last February 11.
IBF president Daryl Peoples in a letter to the president of the Argentine Boxing Federation Osvaldo Bisbal said ? There is one measure that we are taking into our own hands and that we will enforce. As a result of Luis Lazarte threatening the life of referee Eddie Claudio while receiving a points deduction in the sixth round, Lazarte is banned from being involved in any capacity in any IBF related fight that takes place in Argentina or around the world.?
Peoples said ?I believe that I do not have to express to you that Lazarte?s threat to Claudio, which can be clearly heard in the telecast, is completely unacceptable, should not be taken lightly and merits punishment. Behavior of this nature by a fighter is not and will not be tolerated by the IBF.?
In his letter, Peoples, while stating that the IBF was ?pleased with our increased activity in Argentina and look forward to developing it further this year. Argentina is a country with a strong boxing heritage and we aim to become an integral party of its history,? condemned what he described as ?the deplorable acts of violence that transpired after the Lazarte-Casimero bout.?
The IBF president made it clear that ?This type of violence has no place in a boxing match, or any sporting event for that matter, as it completely goes against the grain of what competition is about. Surely you agree to that. It is important that all of us in the boxing community, because this act in not exclusive to Argentina, utilize this experience as one to learn from and develop better ways to protect the perimeter around the ring and the people that are in it, while also insuring the safety of all those attending a boxing match. ?
People?s told Bisbal in a copy of his letter provided the Manila Standard that he would ?like to know what steps have been taken with the local police department to bring those individuals that entered the ring and assaulted Mr. Casimero and his camp to justice.?
He noted that there are ?a number of individuals that can likely be identified from the video recording of the fight and who should be investigated through the proper legal channels.? Peoples added ? I expect you will do what you can to further inform me on this matter.?
The Argentine Boxing Federation president had earlier rejected claims of violence and scoffed at any efforts by the IBF to take action against the federation.
Osvaldo Bisbal claimed ?there is no one to punish? for what happened. In an interview with the Argentine daily El Clarin, Bisbal said ?everything was fine? at the venue and there will be no sanctions taken against Lazarte or promoter Osvaldo Rivero.
Asked about possible sanctions by the IBF, Bisbal, in an arrogant response stated ?We laugh at the sanctions of the international sanctioning bodies. They have no type of authority to do so.?
The Department of Foreign Affairs was ordered by the Philippine Senate to recall the ambassador to Argentina while the Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires filed a protest last February 13 with the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the riot.
The Philippine Senate is not taking the assault on newly crowned IBF junior flyweight interim champion Johnriel Casimero and his team in Mar del Plata, Argentina, lightly and has directed the Department of Foreign Affairs to recall the Philippine ambasasador to Argentina, Rey Carandang, immediately.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile issued the order during Wednesday's session over what he termed " this sordid and unfortunate incident, where our flag was actually dishonored."
Enrile also asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to summon the Argentine ambassador to the Philippines "to explain why they have the temerity to assault the flag, the honor, the dignity of this country represented by our boxer."
Senate president Enrile's motion was adopted by the Upper House as a resolution.
DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a statement that "Our Embassy in Buenos Aires filed a protest on 13 Feb with the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the riot which happened on 11 Feb which placed the safety and wellbeing of Mr. Casimero and his team at great danger."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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