Controversy has hit the boxing world squarely once again. The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) announced it will investigate alleged fight-fixing in John Riel Casimero’s recent featherweight bout in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
GAB chairman Francisco Rivera confirmed the probe on Saturday, following the receipt of two emails requesting a review of Casimero’s performance against Japanese fighter Kyonosuke Kameda on October 25. “We received two emails requesting us to investigate if there was game fixing in the last Casimero fight,” Rivera said, according to WBN friend Nick Giongco of the Daily Tribune, signaling the GAB is taking the allegations seriously.
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The Core of the Casimero Controversy
The controversy stems from a now-deleted social media post by Casimero’s brother and lead trainer, Jason Casimero, who, in Tagalog — not his first language — appeared to suggest that losing the fight was part of a “bigger plan” to revive the Filipino star’s career. Although the post is no longer available, video evidence was reviewed by GAB.
Despite the claims, Rivera noted that nothing in the fight suggested Casimero deliberately threw the bout. From the opening bell, the three-division world champion appeared aggressive and intent on winning. Kameda initially adopted a defensive approach before pressing forward late in the fight.
This marked Casimero’s first fight in a year, after a 12-month Japan Boxing Commission suspension for failing to make weight against Saul Sanchez in Yokohama.
