Casimero Loses Controversial Title Fight in Thailand

The first time he fought for a world title fight, John Riel Casimero had to deal with a hostile crowd, fighter and referee but still came out the winner.

Last Saturday night, Casimero wasn’t as lucky and the fighter nick-named Cuadro Alas (Four Aces) had no ace up his sleeve against a crafty Amnat Ruenroeng who wrestled him numerous times inside the ring in the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ruenroeng was credited with two knockdowns–which Casimero said were all slips–on his way to defend his International boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight crown for the fourth straight time.

The Thai, a former Olympian who made his pro debut at 32, improved to 16-0 while Casimero dropped to 21-3 with 13 KOs.

The fight started badly for Casimero, and Ruenroeng was credited with a knockdown in the second round, which Casimero claimed he shouldn’t have been, while a knockdown by Casimero was ruled a slip in the third round.

“It was a wrong decision by the referee, it wasn’t a knockdown it was a slip and I was pushed,” said Casimero.

Sensing that he was down by points due to the two calls, Casimero began pushing for a knockdown but was frustrated by the constant clinching, holding and wrestling by the Thai champion.

“He’s a very dirty fighter,” said Casimero.

At one point in Round 7, Ruenroeng, who beat Chinese golden boy Zou Shiming in his last title defense, held Casimero for almost 40 seconds and wasn’t called for a foul or even warned by the referee.

In round 11, the Thai was finally deducted a point but he was already safely ahead and he held on for the unanimous decision victory against Casimero.

“I want a rematch and if ever it would happen, I don’t want the fight to be held in Thailand,” said Casimero.

Casimero’s trainer, Jhun Agrabio echoed the sentiment.

“Amnat will win only in Thailand. Anywhere else, he would be disqualified,” said Agrabio.

“We knew what he would do, but we were disappointed that the referee, who told us in the dressing room that he wouldn’t tolerate excessive holding or other illegal tactics, failed to keep his promise,” Agrabio said.

The referee was American Larry Dogget and Casimero’s manager Samson Gelloani will file a protest against him with the IBF.

“I will also ask the IBF to preserve Casimero’s No. ranking so he could have the next opportunity to fight for a world title again,” said Gelloani.

He said the referee seemed “confused and didn’t know what to do.”

Both Casimero and Gelloani are no strangers to hostile territory.

Casimero won his first crown, the IBF world light flyweight title, in a melee-marred fight in Argentina against Luis Lazarte.

When Casimero won the fight in the 10th crowd, an incensed-pro Lazarte crowd pelted Casimero with chairs and water bottles, forcing Gelloani to cover his fighter. (PNA) CTB/EB/MP/EBP