Casimero vows comeback after bitter defeat

MANILA, Philippines - Determined to learn from his mistakes, Johnriel Casimero said yesterday the bitter experience of losing his interim WBO lightflyweight title to Mexico’s Ramon Garcia via a split 12-round decision will make him a better fighter.

Casimero, 20, blew an early lead to wilt down the stretch and failed to match Garcia’s energy in the late rounds at the Polideportivo Centenario in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico last Saturday night. Judges Rosario Lizarraga of Los Mochis and Alejandro Lopez Cid of Mexico City saw it 115-113, both for Garcia while judge Joe Garcia of Arizona had it 115-113 for the Ormoc City native.

“I’m sorry I lost,” said a dejected Casimero who will arrive in Manila via Los Angeles tomorrow morning. “I learned a lot of lessons. I lost my concentration when he kept butting and elbowing. I just wanted to knock him out. The canvas was slippery and it took away my footwork. I couldn’t jab. I was in good condition but it was too hot in the ring.”

Casimero’s business manager Sammy Gello-ani, who watched at ringside, conceded defeat.  

“I’m disappointed,” said Gello-ani. “Casimero didn’t throw enough. He wanted to knock out Garcia with just one big punch. Garcia fought very differently from the tapes we studied. But we were ready. I had a feeling Garcia would change his style and box from a distance rather than come forward to brawl. Casimero knew what he was supposed to do. We wanted him to cut the ring off and pin down Garcia but he just followed him around. Now, it’s back to the drawing board.”

A win would’ve earned for Casimero a shot at the WBO 108-pound title held by Puerto Rico’s Ivan Calderon.

“I think it was a good idea that we didn’t rush Casimero into challenging Calderon,” said Gello-ani. “The Garcia fight showed he’s not ready for a title shot. We’ll get him two or three fights in the Philippines or other countries in Asia and if we feel he’s ready, we’ll go for the world title next year.”

Gello-ani said Los Mochis’ sweltering temperature took the starch out of Casimero.

“We needed to win the last few rounds but Casimero ran out of gas,” said Gello-ani. “The heat was draining. Even before the fight, Casimero was already sweating profusely. We consumed nearly all our water provisions for (Federico) Catubay who fought in the undercard. If Casimero only won the last two rounds, it would’ve been a draw and he would’ve kept the interim title and his undefeated record. Garcia was staggered a few times only Casimero didn’t follow up.”

Gello-ani said he was surprised that one judge, Garcia, scored it for Casimero.

“One judge will see things differently from another because of where they’re sitting,” said Gello-ani. “It depends on their line of vision. Then, one judge will give more credit to aggressiveness than another. It’s very subjective. The split decision showed opposite preferences. I have no complaints.”

Garcia himself was surprised that Casimero wasn’t as busy as he was in mowing down Colombia’s Cesar Canchilla for the interim WBO crown in Nicaragua last December. “Garcia didn’t expect Casimero to fight like he did,” said Gello-ani. “He expected a tougher fight.” A southpaw, Garcia resorted to switch-hitting to confuse Casimero and used snappy combinations to keep the Filipino at bay. Casimero, on the other hand, was predictable and landed sparingly.

There were no knockdowns in the bout worked by New York-based Puerto Rican referee Samuel Viruet.

In the undercard, Catubay battled Mexico’s Rodrigo Guerrero courageously to the limit despite hurting his left knee early in the eighth round. Catubay slipped and fell on his knee in a bizarre accident that hampered his attack the rest of the way. Guerrero took advantage of Catubay’s handicap and swung the tide in his favor to score a unanimous 12-round decision in the IBF superflyweight title eliminator.

Catubay, 30, gave up three inches in height and 5 1/2 inches in reach but wasn’t short in heart as he took the fight to Guerrero behind a blistering two-fisted assault. Loading up on left and right uppercuts, Catubay kept Guerrero on the defensive until the fateful accident. Guerrero won four of the last five rounds to pick up the victory with the judges scoring, 116-112, 115-113 and 117-111.

Arizona referee Wes Melton had his hands full and repeatedly warned both fighters to keep their punches in fair territory.

“Catubay made us proud and the Mexican fans appreciated what he did in the ring,” said Gello-ani. “Any other fighter would’ve quit after suffering that knee injury. Before the fight, I told Catubay this was his last chance. He went out there to win and did an incredible job. Catubay could hardly walk straight when it was over.”

Gello-ani said international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz will petition the IBF to retain Catubay’s world rating and give him another shot in a title eliminator on the basis of his gutsy showing against Guerrero.