Controversial Boxer Luis Lazarte’s Notorious Career
Luis Alberto Lazarte is an Argentine former professional boxer from Mar del Plata who held the IBF junior flyweight (light-flyweight) title from 2010 to 2011. His career included a long run through several weight classes and a highly publicized 2012 bout with Johnriel Casimero that ended in a post-fight riot and an IBF ban.
World title at light-flyweight
Born on March 4, 1971, Lazarte made his professional debut in 1996. After several earlier world-title challenges, he won the IBF junior flyweight championship on May 29, 2010, defeating Carlos Tamara by split decision. He defended it twice, including a draw with Ulises Solís, before Solís beat him by split decision on April 30, 2011, to regain the title. The IBF’s title chronology records Lazarte’s championship reign and its end.
Casimero fight and IBF ban
In February 2012, Lazarte fought Filipino contender Johnriel Casimero for the IBF interim junior flyweight title in Mar del Plata. Casimero stopped him in the 10th round. Contemporary ESPN reporting described repeated fouls by Lazarte, including blows behind the head, low blows, biting, and a threat to referee Eddie Claudio. After the stoppage, spectators invaded the ring and attacked Casimero and members of his team; the Philippines filed a diplomatic protest over the violence.
The IBF then barred Lazarte from participating in any IBF-related fight worldwide, citing his threat to the referee. Reports described the rioters as spectators and supporters; the available accounts do not establish that Lazarte deliberately started the riot. Lazarte later returned for four bouts between 2014 and 2015. BoxRec lists his final professional record as 52 wins, 12 losses, two draws, and one no contest.
Sources
- Open Boxing: IBF light-flyweight title history
- ESPN: IBF ban and the Casimero fight
- Al Jazeera / AFP: diplomatic protest after the riot
- BoxRec: career record and bouts
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
