Casimero overweight, stripped of IBF crown

MANILA, Philippines - It was supposed to be his last fight at 108 pounds.

John Riel Casimero of the Philippines yesterday lost his IBF light-flyweight crown even before he could climb the ring against Mauricio Fuentes of Colombia.

During the official weigh-in, the 24-year-old Casimero went overboard, tipping the scales at 113.25 lb which is five pounds over the limit of 108 lb.

“Hindi ko na talaga kaya (I can’t make it anymore),” Casimero said.

Normally, boxers are given two hours to shed off the excess pounds. But Casimero opted otherwise, knowing its futility.

Right there and then, he was stripped of the title.

The fight will go on as scheduled tonight at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu. If Casimero wins, the title is declared vacant. If Fuentes wins, he is crowned the new champion.

Fuentes did not demand for Casimero to wear heavier gloves for coming in overweight. But if it’s under the IBF rules then the Filipino will.

A portion of Casimero’s fight purse should also go to the challenger if it’s stipulated in their fight contract. Fuentes weighed in at exactly 108 lb.

It was supposed to be the fourth title defense for Casimero, who became news following his 10th round stoppage of Luis Alberto Lazarte in 2012 in Argentina.

A riot took place inside the arena after Casimero scored the stunning win, and local fans attacked the Filipino boxer and his handlers. With the help of policemen, they were spared of injuries.

Just weeks after the chaotic win, Casimero was named the IBF light-fly champion after Mexican Ulises Solis was stripped of the title for failing to defend it.

Then Casimero traveled to Mexico to defend the title against Pedro Guevarra, then to Panama against Luis Alberto Rios. Last October, he knocked out Mexico’s Felipe Salguero at the Makati Coliseum.

For the Salguero fight, Casimero struggled to make weight, and already showed signs that he’s having trouble making 108 pounds.

Casimero has fought at 112, which should be his comfortable weight now.

In 2010, he challenged South African Moruti Mthalane for the IBF flyweight crown but was knocked out in the fifth round by the same boxer who lost to Nonito Donaire Jr. in 2008.

Casimero moved back down to 108 and found success.

The native of Cebu had wanted to move up in weight after his victory over Salguero but later on agreed to defend his title one more time.

The IBF looked for a challenger from those ranked No. 3 to No. 15 and the 24-year-old Fuentes, ranked No. 12 by the IBF, was the only one who was available.

Casimero is favored to beat Fuentes but threw away a lot of opportunities by failing to make weight yesterday.

Atty. Danrex Tapdasan, an excellent boxing referee who will sit as one of the three judges for tonight’s fight, said Casimero now has no choice but to move up in weight.

Tapdasan said a victory over Fuentes would have enabled Casimero to overcome his mandatory responsibilities with the IBF, and if he chooses to fight on at 108 he can choose his opponent.

Casimero can also choose to vacate the crown and move on as one of the top contenders in the 112 division.

“It was a very good opportunity for him to defend the title against the No. 12 contender,” said Tapdasan.

Casimero is the second Filipino to lose a world title after Merlito Sabillo yielded WBO minimumweight crown to Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez only last March.

Manny Pacquiao and Donnie Nietes were the only reigning Pinoy world champions. On May 10, Nietes will try to defend his WBO light-fly crown against Moises Fuentes at the MOA Arena.

What happened to Casimero happened to Pacquiao in 1999 when the latter was stripped of his WBC flyweight crown after failing to make weight against Medgoen Singsurat.

Drained, Pacquiao went on to fight the Thai but was knocked out in the third round.