IT will be a triumphant Valentines Day for Johnriel Casimero of Ormoc City and the Omega Gym of Cebu who will be accorded a hero’s welcome today.
SGG Promotions has informed that Casimero will be honored with a motorcade this afternoon and a victory press conference will follow at the Baseline Restaurant. Members of the media who want to cover the event are advised to assemble at the Omega Boxing Gym in Mabolo at around 2:30 p.m. today as transportation will be provided.
Team Casimero is expected to arrive in Cebu at 3 p.m.
Casimero made sports headlines last weekend when he stopped Luis Lazarte in ten rounds to annex the vacant IBF light flyweight title in Argentina. That victory however, sparked a riot in the venue which resulted in the mauling of Casimero and members of his team which included trainer Cristopher “Pingping’ Tepora and Promoter Sammy Gello-ani. The riot started even before Casimero was officially declared the winner inside the ring.
The referee Eddie Claudio of the U.S., was hospitalized due to injuries.
Casimero celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday, Feb. 13 and made his title belt a gift to the Filipino nation.
Video of the riot went viral on the internet and sparked outrage especially among Filipino boxing fans.