MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest to the Argentine government after fans attacked a Filipino fighter in the ring after winning the title bout.
John Riel Casimero and members of his team were kicked and assaulted when fans in Buenos Aires hurled chairs and stormed the ring following his 10th-round knockout of local fighter Luis Alberto Lazarte in the IBF junior flyweight championship.
Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said Wednesday his country’s embassy filed a protest with Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is awaiting an explanation.
He says after the riot, police escorted Casimero and his team to their hotel and provided protection for them.
