GAB fast-tracks Casimero match-fixing controversy

Three-time world champion Johnriel Casimero stands to receive an advisory from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) anytime over his  alleged involvement in a fight-fixing incident last month in Kyrgyzstan.

“We usually require the parties to submit position papers. But if certain matters need clarification, we can require the parties to attend a hearing in-person.  We anticipate sending a notice to explain within the week,” GAB chairman Francisco Rivera said on Monday.

Casimero was called out by the GAB after at least two parties filed complaints with the government agency in the aftermath of his unanimous decision loss to Kyonosuke Kameda in the capital of Bishkek last 25 August.

Later, Jayson Casimero, brother and lead trainer of the immensely-popular fighter, said in a social media post that they had to lose in exchange for a bigger fight down the road.

The post has since been deleted but the GAB managed to get and watch the controversial video.

Casimero, who turns 37 in February next year, was coming off a one-year suspension by the Japan Boxing Commission for being overweight in his match with Saul Sanchez of the US in Yokohama.

One of the country’s most popular boxers, Casimero won world titles at light-flyweight, fly and bantam before deciding to go after Naoya “Monster” Inoue, the Japanese puncher regarded as one of the best pound for pound.

His career took a nosedive following his separation from the influential Sean Gibbons in 2021, hopping from one promoter to another in the pursuit of Inoue.

Given Casimero’s spate of misfortunes, he has fallen off Inoue’s radar screen and has settled for not-so-prestigious bouts.