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Friday, March 9, 2012

New IBF Light Flyweight Champ Casimero Finally Received his Belt





        Johnriel Casimero finally received his world championship belt one month after winning the IBF light flyweight title that had a tumultuous ending in Argentina with Cebu’s Omega boxing gym mainstay assured of defending his crown here.

        International matchmaker/agent Sampson Lewkowicz announced yesterday that Casimero (16-2, 10 KOs) will put his IBF title on the line for the first time against Mexican hard-puncher Sammy “Guty” Gutierrez (31-7-2, 21 KOs) on May 13 at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

        “He will definitely defend his title here in Cebu. I always love to be here because I consider Cebu as my second home,” said Lewkowicz during a press conference at The Event Centre of SM City-Cebu. “He’s going to face Sammy Gutierrez, who is one of the best Mexican warriors.”  Lewkowicz said the match will be staged on a Sunday morning and will be broadcast live all over the world.  “It will be shown live worldwide. It’s the right time to make this happen because millions of people around the world want to see Casimero fight again (after what had happened in Argentina),” said Lewkowicz, who personally hand-carried the belt to Cebu following a 20-hour flight from the US.
“It’s my pleasure to bring this belt with utmost honor to a well-deserved champion,” said Lewkowicz, who considers Casimero as the country’s next Manny Pacquiao.

        Casimero, with the help of Lewkowicz, strapped the championship belt around his waist during the simple ceremony witnessed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, WBO vice president for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo and International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CEO Pio Castillo Jr.

        “I won the fight already, but having this belt is more meaningful to me. I’m very happy now that I finally have it because it makes me feel complete as a world champion,” said Casimero.

     The 22-year-old Casimero clinched the IBF 108-pound crown after stopping Argentinian hometown idol Luis Alberto Lazarte early in the 10th round last Feb. 10 in Buenos Aires. But before referee Eddie Claudio of New York could formally announce the winner and award the championship belt to the Filipino champion, Argentinian fans stormed into the ring and attacked Casimero and his team. Chairs, bottles and other hard objects were also thrown into the ring at the height of the melee. Casimero, meanwhile, said he will be back to hard training next week as he prepares for his upcoming defense.

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