Boxing
Ref lost control of fight, resulting to Argentine boxing riot
Eddie Claudio, who refereed the foul-riddled light-flyweight match between Argentine Luis Alberto Lazarte and Filipino Johnriel Casimero, should be blamed for what happened Friday night at the Club Once Unidos in Mar Del Plata, Argentina.
After Casimero, 21, was declared winner by tenth-round stoppage, angry fans of Lazarte threw debris into the ring, including plastic chairs and bottles.
Casimero and his handlers did not escape the fans’ fury as they were ganged up and beaten up.
Fortunately, Team Casimero managed to escape but they all wound up with bruises.
The Argentine media said it was Lazarte who committed the most flagrant fouls although Casimero did commit some.
Lazarte, 40, said Claudio lost control of the fight, and his incompetence compelled his fans and followers to react violently.
Lazarte was even heard sa saying to Claudio: “Do you want to get out of here alive?”
The fight was marred by low blows, head-grabbing, kicking and biting and it was no surprise that a commotion ensued.
A left cross to Lazarte’s head sent him down in the ninth round but the bell rang ending the round.
Casimero, sensing that Lazarte was gassed out and groggy, came out smoking in the tenth and sent Lazarte down again with a flurry of hard shots, forcing Claudio to step in.
Then the roof caved in on Team Casimero.
