ARGENTINA proved to be a historic place, but certainly not a gracious host for rising Filipino boxer Johnreil Casimero.

The 21-year-old Casimero captured the interim International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight crown with a 10th round technical knockout of former world champion Luis Alberto Lazarte Saturday, but had to endure an angry mob that attacked him and his corner shortly after the foul-tainted title bout at the Mar Del Plata in the capital city of Buenos Aires.

As Lazarte was being attended in his corner and shortly after Casimero went over the top rope by the end of the fight, pandemonium broke loose.

Apparently unhappy with the outcome of the match, fans and supporters of Lazarte assaulted the Filipinos inside the ring, and soon after, the crowd joined the fray as plastic chairs, mineral water bottles, and other debris were thrown in the way of Casimero and Co.

Security proved hapless. Punches and kicks were thrown, and there were a lot of pushing and shoving in the riot that lasted for about three minutes, and was completely caught on camera and later, posted on YouTube.

Tepora Jr. and one of Casimero’s seconds tried to protect the newly-crowned champion from the mob, but the three eventually got separated as each of them ran on different directions and scampered away for safety.

Filipino promoter and head of delegation Sammy Gello-ani recalled to Rene Bonsubre Jr. of PhilBoxing their harrowing ordeal, of how Casimero had to hide under the ring just to escape the angry crowd.

“My friend, Oswaldo Bravo, had to pull Casimero from the mob, and hide him under the ring,” said Gello-ani.  

Tepora Jr. and Gello-ani suffered bruises, although Casimero was spared from any serious injury.

“The three of us suffered bruises,” admitted Gello-ani. “But we are safe now, and we are guarded by local police.”

Respected boxing columnist Dan Rafael of ESPN condemned the incident on his Twitter account.

“What happened in 108 title bout in Argentina tonight is worst thing I’ve seen in boxing since the (Riddick) Bowe-(Andre) Golota 1 riot,” said the former boxing writer of USA Today.

He added, “We already knew Lazarte was the dirtiest fighter in boxing. Now we know his fans are the dirtiest also.”

According to Gello-ani, Lazarte, 40, is a member of the trucker’s union, and apparently, members of the mob were some of his friends.

The unfortunate incident however, didn’t prevent the Filipino delegation from celebrating the win that comes two days before Casimero, born in Ormoc City, but now based in Mandaue, celebrates his 22nd birthday.

“We are celebrating Johnriel’s victory. This is a birthday gift that he will offer to the entire Filipino nation, said Gello-ani.

Casimero, (16-2, 10KOs), caught Lazarte with a solid punch on the chin and knocked him twice in the ninth round, before delivering the coup de grace by again sending the tough Argentinian down on the floor in the fateful 10th round.

BoxingScene.com, reported that both fighters used dirty tactics during the course of the bout. Lazarte was deducted a point for biting the Filipino on the neck in the sixth round, while Casimero was called for foul play in both the fourth and eight rounds that cost him a point each.