Water under the ring

Johnriel Casimero was wondering where the water was coming from as he hid under the ring at the height of a boxing riot seven years ago in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

That’s where he took shelter as all hell broke loose following his 10th-round technical knockout win of local son Luis Alberto Lazarte for the IBF interim flyweight title.

The decision didn’t sit well with Lazarte’s camp—as well as the big crowd at Mar del Plata which, by Casimero’s account, was having drinks during the fight.

“I touched the ground under me and there was pool of water; why would there be water under the ring?” Casimero said in Filipino.

It wasn’t until he checked the other side of the floor in pitch darkness that he realized it was coming from his own sweat.

“I was there for more than an hour; I was losing a lot of body fluid,” said Casimero (27-4 with 18 knockouts). “I was already feeling dizzy, so I decided to come out and leave everything to fate.”

Fortunately, it wasn’t the hostile crowd that met him upon emerging from under the ring, but venue security.

It’s been long since that highlight moment of his career in Argentina. Casimero has since gone on to win IBF light flyweight and flyweight titles.

Known for his furious pace and heavy fists, the Ormoc, Leyte, native was on a steady rise until he dropped a unanimous decision to compatriot Jonas Sultan two years ago for the IBF super flyweight eliminator in Cebu.

That put his path to the spotlight to a halt. But Casimero has since recovered, winning three straight fights via knockouts.

On Saturday, he gets to test his fists once again when he takes on 31-year-old Mexican Cesar Ramirez (18-3 with 1 KO) on Saturday with his  interim crown at stake at San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.

Though the fight is free to the public, it is seen as a bigger platform for Casimero, who will be making his maiden fight under MP Promotions, joining the likes of Jerwin Ancajas and other boxers handled by boxing megastar Manny Pacquiao’s outfit.

And the stakes are high. A victory will give Casimero a shot at WBO titlist Zolani Tete of South Africa.

“I’ve been through a lot but I think that [Argentina incident] was the most scary,” said the 29-year-old. “After that I’m not scared of anything anymore.”

Casimero will be handled by Nonoy Neri, one of Pacquiao’s cornermen, for the fight.