CASIMERO WINS ON THE ROAD AGAIN, RETAINS IBF WORLD JR.FLY TITLE
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 05 Aug 2012
Johnriel Casimero did not fade in the endgame this time around. Before he left for Mexico, he told me about how he had trouble breathing in the championship rounds against Ramon Garcia Hirales two years ago.
This time, he made sure the IBF world junior flyweight title would remain in his hands and the entire Filipino nation can breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate.
It was not easy. Casimero knocked down challenger Pedro Guevara with a crisp uppercut in the opening round. But the tough Mexican survived and used his height and reach advantage in the subsequent rounds to score with jabs and crosses.
Guevara moved around the ring and Casimero?s timing left a lot to be desired. Guevara had another trip to the canvas in the sixth but was ruled a slip. With the outcome hanging in the balance past the halfway mark, the Ormoc City native became more aggressive.
Guevara countered well but Casimero slowly increased his punch output going into the 10th round. Guevara fell in the 10th and 11th, both were still ruled as slips. But the franchise boxer of the Omega Boxing Gym of Cebu City maintained his aggressiveness until the final bell.
The three judges scores - Levi Martinez ? 114-113 for Casimero, Dr. Ruben M. Garcia ? 114-113 for Guevara and Matthew Podgorski ? 116-111 for Casimero.
This writer had it 115-112 for Casimero, who made a successful first title defense.
With this split decision win, Casimero (17W-2L, 10 KO?s) improves his road record to 3W-2L. Guevara (18W-1L - 1D, 13 KO?s) suffered his first career loss. The fight was held at the Mazatlan Convention Center, Mazatlan, Mexico.
Casimero became an interim champion last February by beating Luis Lazarte of Argentina by 10th round TKO and was immediately attacked by partisan fans. He was recognized the regular world champion by the IBF two weeks ago. Casimero was accompanied by trainer Cristopher 'Pingping' Tepora and promoter Sammy Gello-ani, who were also caught in the middle of the ugly Argentina ring riot.
We can only hope that after proving himself twice, Casimero can have the privilege of defending his title at home.
(Photo - Casimero (left)and Guevara)
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