Lewkowicz coming to set Casimero's defense

MANILA, Philippines - Las Vegas-based Uruguay matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz is arriving here March 7 to confer with newly crowned interim IBF lightflyweight champion Johnriel Casimero of Ormoc City on the option of facing a Mexican challenger in his first title defense in Manila.

Casimero’s business manager Sammy Gello-ani told The Star yesterday Lewkowicz has abandoned plans of a defense against Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation lightflyweight titlist Ryo Miyazaki because he wants to stage it in Manila and the prospective challenger insists only in fighting in Japan.

Lewkowicz, known as “Picasso” for his ability to arrange masterpiece fights, negotiated Casimero’s fight against Luis Lazarte for the interim IBF crown in Mar del Plata, Argentina, last Feb. 10. Gello-ani said before the bout, he was informed that it would be for the regular IBF title since champion Ulises Solis of Mexico was incapacitated. The IBF later recanted when Solis declared he would be ready to defend the throne before the medical deadline of Oct. 31.

Solis, in his second reign as IBF champion, was slated to stake his crown last December but two months before, suffered a fractured jaw and lost a tooth in a street altercation with WBC superwelterweight champion Saul Alvarez in Guadalajara. Alvarez accused Solis of making advances at his girlfriend and attacked the fighter who was once knocked out by Brian Viloria. The disparity in weight was glaring as Solis fights in the 108-pound division and Alvarez in the 154-pound class. Solis underwent surgery to repair the damage in his jaw. The IBF has given Solis up to Oct. 31 to defend the title because of a medical exigency. If he is unable to beat the deadline, Solis will be stripped of recognition and the interim champion will be regularized outright. Solis was supposed to make a mandatory defense on or before last Jan. 31.

“It doesn’t matter if Casimero is an interim or regular champion,” said Gello-ani. “At first, the fight against Lazarte was for the interim title. Then, the IBF changed it for the regular title. Later, the IBF ruled it was for the interim championship because Solis announced he would be back on time. If Solis isn’t able to come back, Casimero will be automatically recognized as new champion. We’re not in a hurry. Casimero will defend his title like he’s the regular champion.”

Gello-ani said Lewkowicz initially tapped Miyazaki to be Casimero’s first challenger as the Japan Boxing Commission was realigning with the IBF after over 20 years of estrangement. But Miyazaki’s camp refused to fight anywhere else except in Japan. “Sampson wants a feel-good defense for Casimero, particularly since he experienced a trauma in Argentina,” said Gello-ani. “There is widespread sympathy for Casimero and Sampson thinks it would be good for him to make his first defense before his countrymen. Sampson isn’t disclosing any names but he’ll probably choose a Mexican challenger. We’ll find out the details when he arrives in Manila.”

The highest-ranking Mexican contender in the IBF lightflyweight honor roll is No. 5 Luis Ceja, a 21-year-old warrior with a 21-1-3 record, including 17 KOs. Ceja is unbeaten in his last 16 fights since losing a decision to Osvaldo Razon in 2009.

Meanwhile, IBF president Daryl Peoples has slapped a lifetime ban on Lazarte but only in IBF-sanctioned bouts. Lazarte, 40, was sanctioned for threatening referee Eddie Claudio during the Casimero fight. Lazarte was heard on TV saying Claudio wouldn’t get out of Argentina alive after the referee deducted a point for repeatedly hitting behind the head in the sixth round. The Argentinian was also shown on TV using dirty tactics against Casimero, including biting him twice on the shoulder, elbowing, throwing blows below the belt, holding and rabbit-punching.

But Peoples’ ban is useless. Lazarte is likely to retire and besides, the IBF has no jurisdiction in Argentina or anywhere else in the world unless it is for an IBF championship fight. If Lazarte is signed to fight for a WBA or WBC or WBO title fight, the IBF is powerless to stop him from engaging.

Casimero, the second of four children, was paid $15,000 for the Lazarte fight and planned to use the money to pay for his younger brother Gerald’s medical expenses. Gerald, 17, was born with a hole in his heart but died of cardiac failure the day before Casimero left for Argentina. Casimero, 22, said he hopes to provide a better life for his father, a pier porter, and mother, a manicurist.  He turned pro in 2007 and with Lewkowicz’ support, got a big break in facing Cesar Canchila for the interim WBO lightflyweight crown in Nicaragua two years later. Casimero stopped Canchila in the 11th round in a major upset. In his first defense, Casimero lost the interim title to Ramon Garcia on a split decision in Mexico. Last year, Casimero was stopped by Moruti Mthalane in an IBF flyweight championship bout in Johannesburg where the Filipino complained of lack of breath due to South Africa’s high altitude. His record is now 16-2, with 10 KOs.