The IBF banned on February 16 the former junior flyweight titlist Luis Lazarte from participating in any fight the organization is associated with.
The decision was preceded by Lazarte's actions during a bout on February 10, when he threatened the referee and helped spark an ugly riot, during which his opponent was assaulted, ESPN.com reports.
Johnriel Casimero of the Philippines stopped Lazarte in the 10th round in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Lazarte's home country, to win the IBF's vacant interim 108-pound world title. However, Lazarte, who repeatedly fouled Casimero with head-butts, punches below the belt, and shots behind the head, and bit him at least twice, threatened referee Eddie Claudio in the sixth round.
After Claudio docked a point from Lazarte for blatant punches behind Casimero's head in the sixth round, Lazarte removed his mouthpiece and can clearly be heard (in comments translated from Spanish on the broadcast of Argentine network TyC) saying to Claudio, "Do you want to make it out of here alive?"
IBF president Daryl Peoples wrote to Osvaldo Bisbal, the president of the Argentina Boxing Federation, to inform him of the decision.
"I believe that I do not have to express to you that Lazarte's threat to Claudio, which can be clearly heard in the telecast, is completely unacceptable, should not be taken lightly and merits punishment. Behavior of this nature by a fighter is not and will not be tolerated by the IBF."
The IBF's ban on Lazarte (49-11-2, 18 KOs), who has a history of breaking rules during his fights – including biting multiple opponents – may be moot. He is 40 and said after the fight he is considering retirement.
