Ormoc City Council condemns assault against Casimero

ORMOC CITY, Philippines  – The City Council, on mass motion, yesterday approved a resolution urging condemning the attack of Argentinian fans against local boxing champion Johnriel Casimero, and urging the International Boxing Federation to revisit its rules in staging a boxing bout.

Drafted by Councilor Ruben Capahi, the measure— “expressing concern to the IBF for the riot that occurred during the Lazarte-Casimero fight last February 10 at Estadio Club Once Unidos, Mar Del Plata (Argentina)”—stated the disappointment and anxiety by Ormocanons and Filipinos of the riot that erupted even before Casimero was proclaimed winner.

The resolution also reads, “…the aftermath of the Lazarte-Casimero fight shows a need for better security to ensure the safety of all boxers,” further condemned the incident as it suggested the IBF to “probe the matter and impose corresponding penalties to parties liable to the disorder.”

Capahi, sports committee chairman, told The FREEMAN that the city government “fully supports Johnriel Casimero in all his endeavors and that of all Filipino boxers, hence this call for the IBF to implement proper precautionary measures to ensure the safety and protection of all boxers is a necessity.”

Meanwhile, the City Council also approved unanimously a separate resolution congratulating Casimero for his latest achievement, citing also his previous accomplishments as a product of the city’s sports program such as his being the Leyte Division’s boxing gold medalist in the EVRAA and Palarong Pambansa competitions.

Casimero earned four professional career titles in the following divisions: Philippine Boxing Federation flyweight (2008), WBO Asia-Pacific light flyweight (2008-2009), Interim WBO light flyweight (December 2009-July 2010) and the recent IBF Flyweight crown. 

The City Council did not only focus on his latest victory, but on the sad story behind it: Johnriel’s 17-year-old brother Gerald (not Jason as earlier reported) died and a wake was being held in their house before the championship fight in Argentina, but still Casimero fought valiantly before a hostile homecrowd and knocked down their boxing hero to snatch the world title crown. 

Mayor Eric Codilla, whom Casimero visited as soon as he arrived in Ormoc, told the media and people milling around that his administration will “continue to provide support to all constituents who are tenacious enough to pursue their dreams in any fields.”  (FREEMAN)