http://www.philstar.com/thedeanscorner/ ... egoryid=69
MANILA, Philippines - Newly crowned IBF lightflyweight champion Johnriel Casimero, business manager Sammy Gello-ani and trainer Christopher Tepura survived a riot after hometown fans went berserk in the wake of local hero Luis Lazarte’s knockout loss at Club Once Unidoes, Mar del Plata, Argentina last Friday night.
New York referee Eddie Claudio stopped the fight early in the 10th round with Lazarte defenseless and Casimero raining hard blows to the head. Lazarte was down twice in the previous round and once in the 10th. Before the ring announcer stepped onto the ring to call the official time, debris flew in from irate fans who couldn’t accept Lazarte’s defeat. Water bottles, chairs and hard objects were thrown at the Filipinos by suspected members of Lazarte’s truckers union. One fan entered the ring wearing a green vest with the words “Camioneros-Peronista” and attacked Gello-ani with punches to the head. All hell broke loose as security guards were outnumbered by fans who vented their ire on Casimero, Claudio, Gello-ani and Tepura. Even Casimero’s American cornerman Sean Gibbons of Top Rank Promotions wasn’t spared from the physical abuse.
Security guards hid Casimero under the ring for 30 minutes while fans were led out of the arena. Gello-ani said he took a few hits on the head but was unhurt. Claudio was treated in a hospital for a busted mouth.
