MANILA, Philippines — IBF light flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero lost his crown without throwing a single punch after miserably failing to make the 108-pound weight limit in Friday’s weigh-in for his scheduled defense against Colombian Mauricio Fuentes tonight at Waterfron Hotel and Casino in Cebu.
Casimero, who was supposed to defend his title for the fourth time, tipped the scale at a staggering 113.25 lb and didn’t bother to shed off the excess poundage.
His manager, Sammy Gello-Ani, apologized for the shocking development.
“If we’re going to squeeze [out] some more [pounds], I’m afraid he will die,” said Gello-ani of Casimero.
“But I promised him that he will be given a title shot again and this time as a flyweight (112 lb). We are also considering [campaigning in] other boxing bodies like the WBA and WBO.”
The fight, scheduled for 12 rounds, will still push through with the title considered as vacant. Fuentes can claim the crown with a win.
Fuentes (16-2-0 with 10 KOs) checked in at 108 for the fight that will have Gerard White as referee and Danrex Tapdasan, Sanong Aumin and Bruce McTavish as judges.
With Casimero’s embarrassing dethronement, the country is now down to two world champions in eight-division title winner Manny Pacquiao (WBO welterweight) and Donnie Nietes (WBO light flyweight).
The 24-year-old Casimero (19-2-0 with 11 KOs) shot into prominence when he became an interim champ after beating Argentinian Luis Alberto Lazarte in Buenos Aires in 2012 by a 10th-round technical knockout.
The announcement of his victory resulted in a full-scale brawl among fans that sent Casimero and his cornermen hiding under the ring until policemen rescued them.
He defended the title with a split victory over Pedro Guevarra in late 2012 and then beat Luis Alberto Rios via unanimous decision in March 2013, and Felipe Salguero of Mexico by TKO last October.