Johnriel Casimero is jubilant after his successful first title defense of the IBF Jr Flyweight title against Perdo Guevara Aug 5, 2012 Manila time. Pinoy Knockout was aired in AKTV sports Network.

Written by

Jude Bautista

August 5, 2012 (Sunday afternoon Manila time)-it was with a lot of concern that Filipinos watched the title defense of IBF Junior Flyweight Champion Johnriel Casimero at the AKTV Sports network, which also broadcasts the Olympics. Casimero was the same fighter that was attacked by supporters of his opponent Luis Lazarte in Argentina last February.

Pedro “Pedring” Guevara proved to be a difficult win for Johnriel Casimero. Pinoy Knockout was aired in AKTV sports Network.

Johnriel Casimero is jubilant after his successful first title defense of the IBF Jr Flyweight title against Perdo Guevara Aug 5, 2012 Manila time. Pinoy Knockout was aired in AKTV sports Network.

The past year has not been stellar for Pinoy boxing. Following the questionable ‘defeat’ of Manny Pacquiao and less than a few hours before in the London Olympics, our lone boxer Mark Anthony Barriga was eliminated from earning a medal by Kazakh Birzhan Zakhypov.

Johnriel in his now trademark resilience was able to gain a decision victory against undefeated Pedro “Pedrin” Guevara. This is his first title defense making his record to 17-2-1 (10 KOs). He again won in the hometown of his opponent fighting in the Mazatlan International Center, Mazatlan Sinaloa Mexico. Casimero is from Ormoc City and trains at the Omega Gym in Cebu.

Casimero knocks down Guevara in the opening round with an uppercut but had difficulty in the succeeding rounds. Pinoy Knockout was aired in AKTV sports Network.

Although Casimero hurt Guevara with a knockdown in the opening round, the tough Mexican was able to regain his senses and come back in succeeding rounds. The comeback was enough to make the fight difficult for Johnriel who seemed a step slower than his 21-year-old opponent.

 Johnriel obviously has the knock out power to hurt opponents but still has to work on speed and footwork. He is not unlike Manny Pacquiao before being fully trained in the hands of Freddie Roach. Casimero found it difficult to chase down Guevara who was constantly circling away jabbing and counterpunching.  He is not able to set up his strong right hand with jabs or cut off the ring. By the second round and most of the fight Guevara had figured out when and where the punches were coming from and deftly eluded them while scoring on combinations himself.

By the 5^th round Casimero staggered Guevara and almost knocked him down again but was unable to finish him off. There were instances when the Mexican slipped and may have been hurt by a punch and went to the canvas, they were not however scored as a knockdown by the referee. There was a slight chance that Casimero would lose the fight when it went the distance. Final scores were by Levi Martinez 116-111  for Casimero, Ruben Garcia 114-113 for Guevara and  Matthew Podgorski 116-111 for Casimero.

Pedro Guevara pumps his fist to the crowd. Pinoy Knockout was aired in AKTV sports Network.

The PBA Rookie draft will also be aired in AKTV on Aug 19, 2012

Burning questions in sports to be answered in AKTV, the home of the biggest sports events. Tonight the RainOrShine and B-MEG go on their 7 deciding game of the PBA Governor’s Cup Title. On August 19, watch out for the PBA Rookie Draft. Will Chris Tiu be the no.1 pick? Will Usain Bolt Still be the fastest man alive?Olymocs 100m final wil beon  8pm tonight. PXC 33 will also feature Tuck vs Sarmiento in the Lightweight Championship on Sept 1, 2012 also telecast on AKTV.

PXC33 will be held at the Yñares sports arena on Sept 1, 2012 and aired on AKTV Sports network.

Johnriel Casimero is jubilant after his successful first title defense of the IBF Jr Flyweight title against Perdo Guevara Aug 5, 2012 Manila time. Pinoy Knockout was aired in AKTV sports Network.