Argentine body sends apology, will probe pug's bout

MANILA, Philippines - The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) welcomed the apology offered by the Argentina Boxing Federation (ABF), and the subsequent investigation it would conduct in the wake of the post-fight riot that marred the International Boxing Federation (IBF) championship match between Filipino Johnriel Casimero and local bet Luis Lazarte.

GAB commissioner Aquil Tamano, said in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave., the letter of apology was coursed through the agency by the Buenos Aires-based body.

The written communication was signed by ABF president Osvaldo Bisbal and sent a week after that harrowing experience suffered by Casimero and his team at Mar Del Plata in Argentina.

“The GAB already received a letter from Mr. Bisbal apologizing for what had happened, and we’re taking the federation and Mr. Bisbal as sincere to their words,” said Tamano in the weekly session presented by Smart, Pagcor, and Shakey’s.

At the same time, the letter also contained efforts by the boxing body to hold a thorough investigation on the shameful incident, and punish all the erring personalities involved.

“Mr. Bisbal already forwarded the videotape of the entire fight, including the riot that preceded it to the Justice department of Argentina, and said necessary charges will be filed against parties found guilty of participating (in the riot),” added Tamano, brother to former United Opposition spokesperson Adel Tamano.

The GAB commissioner also said Bisbal may just have been misquoted when he earlier said that “there is no one to punish” in the wake of the ugly post-fight riot.

Casimero seized the IBF interim super-flyweight title when he scored a technical knockout against Lazarte, a former world champion and a beloved Argentine fighter, in the 10th round of their scheduled 12-round match. scheduled for 12.

But hardly had the young champion from Ormoc City, Leyte, been officially declared the winner of the fight when angry fans and supporters of Lazarte began to attack and mob the stunned Filipino and his corner.

Plastic chairs, mineral water bottles, and other debris were thrown in the way of the hapless visitors as pandemonium broke loose inside and outside the ring.

In the midst of the mayhem, Casimero had to hide under the ring to escape the angry mob, although promoter Sammy Gello-ani and trainer Christopher Tapara were not as fortunate as they ended up suffering lumps and bruises in their bodies.

The IBF, through its president Daryl Peoples, already banned Lazate, 40, for lifetime from seeing action in fights sanctioned by the boxing body.

In the light of the traumatic encounter, Tamano encouraged fight promoters to be in constant contact with the Philippine consul in countries where their boxers are going to fight.

“Local promoters should at least coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) if ever there will be boxers fighting outside of the country, in order to coordinate the necessary security needed kung saan gagawin ’yung laban,” he said.

Tamano likewise stressed for promoters to coordinate with the boxing federation where the fight will be held in order to discuss protocols needed before, during, and after the bout.

As for calls that GAB formally banned Filipino boxers to travel and fight in Argentina, Tamano said the agency doesn’t have the power to enforce such order.

“Wala po yun sa jurisdiction namin, since GAB is more of a recommendatory agency,” he said. “But lest assured that as a government agency, we’ll help promoters to coordinate with the DFA if and when a Filipino boxer is going to fight abroad.”