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| John Riel Casimero's latest loss is now a subject of game-fixing allegations. Kameda Promotions (file photo) |
TAGUIG--The Games and Amusements Board has summoned boxing star John Riel Casimero and his brother Jayson over allegations that the former world champion tanked his recent match.
In an interview with Abante Radyo's Zeus Valdez, GAB chairman Francisco Rivera said on Wednesday night that the Casimero Brothers are expected to show up in a hearing next week as game-fixing complaints piled up right after John Riel's loss to Kyonosuke Kameda on Oct. 26 in Bishkek.
"We already sent a notice to the Casimero Brothers. We asked them to air their side with respect to allegations that they are into game fixing," Rivera said.
John Riel Casimero was said to have vowed that he would knock Kameda out in just 30 seconds, but the latter made it until the final bell in their 10-round battle, and even won by a unanimous decision.
Fans who bet on Casimero to win were dismayed, with one of them calling on him to pay him up for putting what could have been his children's tuition all in.
Fans also took notice of how Jayson Casimero treated his brother's cut, just pouring cold water over the wound, adding to speculations that the siblings did not take the bout seriously.
According to Rivera, the hearing will serve as an avenue for both Casimeros to explain their side of John Riel's tough defeat.
The executive also said that if it is proven that John Riel's camp rigged the result, it could lead to the boxer's professional athlete license being revoked, as well as Jayson's coaching license.
"It's a serious offense," Rivera further said, adding that, as of Wednesday night, he had already received five game-fixing complaints that pertained to the John Riel Casimero-Kyonosuke Kameda bout.
Casimero's latest loss is seen as a huge blow to whatever is left of the 36-year-old veteran's bid to battle undisputed champion Naoya Inoue, considering that he was beaten badly by a Japanese boxer who, on paper, is inferior to him.
