THE year 2012 didn?t really go well for the country?s top dog Manny Pacquiao. The 34-year-old boxing superstar had the worst year of his career yet, dropping both of his fights, including a devastating knockout to long-time rival Juan Manuel Marquez.
Pacquiao?s lackluster year, however, was in contrast to the year that was for Cebu boxing as the boxing-mad city had somewhat of a banner year.
Instead of just one world champion in World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight Donnie Nietes, another Cebu-based boxer rose up the ranks and brought home another world title to Cebu.
Johnriel Casimero, a former interim WBO light flyweight titleholder, snagged the interim International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight crown after a riot-marred fight with aging Argentinean star Luis Alberto Lazarte last Feb. 10 at Mar del Plata in Argentina.
Casimero, 22, fought gallantly despite fighting under pressure in the hometown of a seasoned former world champion. He sent the 40-year-old Lazarte to the canvass twice in round nine and once in the 10th before the referee stopped the fight.
Immediately after the fight was waived, Casimero and his corner were swarmed by a mob of disgruntled fans. Luckily, they left Argentina in one piece and escaped with only bruises.
In the following months, Casimero was declared the regular champion because then IBF titleholder Ulises Solis was unable to defend his crown after being sidelined with a broken jaw.
Casimero went back on the road, to Mexico, to defend his IBF crown against tough Mexican contender Pedro Guevara on Aug. 4.
Casimero was his usual cool and composed self and quickly made an impact in front of a hostil crowd, dropping the erstwhile unbeaten Mexican prospect in the opening round.
Guevara made it a competitive fight but his efforts weren?t enough to dethrone the brave champion.
Casimero escaped with a tightly-contested split decision with scores of 116-111, 114-113 and 113-114.
Nietes, one of the longest reigning Filipino world champions, retained his WBO light flyweight belt with an impressive unanimous decision win over Mexican challenger Felipe Salguero at the posh Resorts World Hotel in Pasay City on June 2.
The 30-year-old janitor-turned-world champion beat Salgeuro convincingly with scores of 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113.
Nietes would then be on a long layoff and beat unheralded Danai Mendaeng on Nov. 17 in Dumaguete, a tune-up bout in preparation for a big fight in 2013.
Nietes is slated to defend his WBO strap against WBO mini-flyweight titlist Moises Fuentes on February.
Casimero is also preparing for a huge fight in the first quarter of 2013, a title defense against mandatory challenger Luis Rios.
However, two of the most prominent Cebuano boxers and an up-and-coming prospect failed in their world title bids this year.
In 2008, AJ ?Bazooka? Banal blew his opportunity to become a world champion after losing steam and getting knocked out by Rafael Concepcion. After 11 straight wins, history would repeat itself.
The 24-year-old Banal was ready to become a world champion but the coveted crown slipped through his fingers once again after he was knocked out by Pungluang Sor Singyu in the their WBO bantamweight clash last Oct. 20 at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Mercito Gesta has spent most of his career in the US. The 25-year-old Mandaue City native climbed up the ladder in lightweight division and after finally being given the chance he has been waiting for five years, he failed to rise to the occasion.
Gesta dropped a lopsided unanimous decision to IBF lightweight king Miguel Vazquez last Dec. 8 in Las Vegas.
Roli Gasca, in the meantime, also lost by unanimous decision to Alexander Bakhtin in an International Boxing Organization super bantamweight battle in Moscow, Russia last Sept. 18.
What awaits Cebu boxing in 2013 is undetermined for now. It is certain however that more local talents will be in world title fights in the year to come as they have broken into the world rankings with an impressive 2012.
