JOHNRIEL Casimero returned with a heavy heart to his hometown of Ormoc City last weekend to attend the burial of his younger brother Gerald who died from a heart ailment.
Gerald died a day before Casimero left for Argentina to fight for the vacant IBF light flyweight crown. The Filipino won the title in a fight-marred contest.
The post-fight riot which happened even before Casimero was officially declared the winner by 10th round TKO against hometown boy Luis Lazarte ignited a call from Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile for an investigation. The Argentinian Ambassador to the Philippines, Joaquin Otero, has since apologized for the incident.
But blessings have also started to trickle down for Casimero. He is enjoying his new found celebrity status and has met with high ranking government officials including Cong. Lucy Torres-Gomez (4th district – Leyte) in Ormoc during his courtesy call.
Casimero, along with his parents and sister, met the Congresswoman who promised to give him some financial reward for his success aside from the various bills in congress that she has authored for the benefit of Filipino boxers.
Casimero is being recognized as an interim champion but the injured Ulises Solis of Mexico has until October to fight Casimero or the IBF will recognize the Filipino as it’s regular world champion. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.