Overweight Casimero stripped of title

CEBU, Philippines - Even before he could throw a punch to his challenger, Johnriel ‘Quadro Alas’ Casimero (19-2, 11KOs) of the Omega Boxing Gym already lost his title on the scales.

During yesterday's official weigh-in at the Event Centre of SM City-Cebu, Casimero came in at 113.5 lbs or five and a half pounds over the 108 pounds. regulatory limit, prompting the International Boxing Federation to strip the Ormoc City-native fighter of his IBF light flyweight belt.

Casimero and Mauricio Fuentes will still face other, but in a non-title bout topbilling the ‘Pinoy Knockout’ tonight at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

In sharp contrast, Casimero’s opponent Fuentes (16-2, 10KOs) weighed in at exactly 108 lbs and will be crowned the new champion if he beats the hometown fighter.

“He (Casimero) was given two hours to get to 108 pounds. but he can’t make it, so we are vacating the world title,” said IBF supervisor Fritz Gaston. “The fight will go on and if Casimero wins, the title will be vacated. This is a great chance for the challenger to claim the title.”

Casimero no longer take the effort in trimming down his weight as he felt weak and complained of abdominal pain.

“We did everything we could to get the weight, but Johnriel really had a hard time shaving the extra pounds,” said Christopher Tepora, Casimero’s handler.

“I am really sorry. I feel ashamed because I will not be able to defend the title in front of my fans but I will still do my best to win,” said the 24-year-old Casimero. “I feel weak right now but I will recover and I will still bring my 100% tomorrow (tonight).”

For his part, Cebuano promoter Sammy Gello-ani said he already expected these things to happen as he is convinced that the Filipino boxer is not suited for light flyweight and has to climb into a higher weight division.

“It’s not the first time that Casimero is experiencing hard time in getting the weight. He is growing and he needs to go up (weight division),” said Gello-ani. “I don’t blame him because he did what he could but his health will be put to risk if we force him to get the weight.”

In the supporting bouts, Gadwin Tubigon of Flores Boxing Stable will try to capture the vacant WBF super featherweight championship against Harmonito Dela Torre of General Santos City, while Jhack Tepora of Omega Boxing Gym will go up against Joash Aparicio of Bukidnon for the vacant WBF Asia Pacific super bantamweight belt.

The rest of the card features Rey Labao against Rodel Wenceslao, Jessie Rosales against Anthony Sabalde, Mark Antony Florida against Joey Canoy, Jessie Espinas against Philip Pronco and Jimboy Haya against Marlon Talili. (FREEMAN)