GAB welcomes overturning of Casimero-Akaho decision

MANILA – The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has welcomed the Korea Boxing Member's Commission's (KBM) decision to give former three-division Filipino world champion John Riel Casimero a knockout (KO) win in his controversial fight against Japanese opponent Ryo Akaho.

The KBM overruled the initial decision of the referee to declare the 10-round bout on Dec. 3 a no-contest after Akaho seemingly told the referee that he could not continue after Casimero accidentally hit him in the back of the head.

"The Games and Amusements Board welcomes the decision of the Korea Boxing Member's Commission to change the result of the December 3, 2022 fight between John Riel Casimero and Ryo Akaho from ‘no contest’ to 'Casimero win by KO'," GAB said in a statement.

In a letter sent to GAB, the KBM said Akaho himself admitted that retiring from the match was not because of Casimero's wrong punch but because of the damage already inflicted on him especially after Casimero launched a barrage of punches after he was knocked down earlier in Round 2.

"Mr. Akaho admitted that [it] was a KO defeat. Yokohama Hikari Gym, where Akaho belongs to, also admitted that Mr. Akaho lost by KO. Mr. Akaho said that the damage he received was not due to the impact of the punch [that] hit the back of his head. He took a break and tried to fight again, but he gave up because he couldn't and admitted that it was his KO defeat. Both Mr. Casimero and Mr. Akaho acknowledge Casimero's KO victory," the letter reads.

GAB then commended the Korean commission for "reaffirming KBM's commitment to sportsmanship and fair play."

"GAB commends KBM chairman John Hwang and his team for their decisive action and stellar leadership. GAB supports KBM's decision and will continue to support the said commission in its boxing regulation functions," GAB further stated.

With the no contest overturned, Casimero improved his record to 32-4 with 22 knockouts, while Akaho settled to a 39-3-2 win-loss-draw card. (PNA)