Are We Ready for All Filipino World Boxing Fight? (Third and Last Part- The Failed Donaire-Casimero Bout :What a Loss But May Not Be Over)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 07 Jul 2021
I was about to write the last and concluding part of this series when news broke out that the world bantamweight unification Fight between WBC champion Nonito Donaire and WBO titleholder John Riel Casimero would no longer push through on August 14 in the USA.
It was a big letdown.
It was a pitiful loss as it should have been a signal honor history making event for Philippine Boxing. Two popular Pinoy World champions fighting for the first time in a major unification bout.
And given our passion for sabong or cockfighting, it was very fitting that this first ever All Pinoy World unification Boxing bout would have happened in a division named after a special breed of domestic fowl, bantam.
In the etymology of Boxing divisions or weight classes, the bantamweight was named after Bantam, an Indonesian village which was original home of this special breed of chicken known among others for its fighting abilities. In British dictionary of terms, a bantam is a small but aggressive person, very apt for Donaire and Casimero and others now and before them that excelled in the 118 lbs class.
So the history making fight was off when Donaire pulled out on account of alleged unprofessional behavior of Casimero and his camp including the issue on pre-fight random drug testing. But I will not delve into that. I find it sad that some so called self proclaimed social media influences or boxing bloggers contributed in the scrapping of that match for their fetish at personally pinagsasabong the two fighters which started and later inflamed the controversy.
However this episode only confirmed that we Pinoy Boxing fans are still ambivalent at this point about two Filipino World champions fighting in a unification. It shows our unreadiness as well as lack of maturity.
As we have been in the previous all Pinoy world championship fights where grudging or forced acceptance was only achieved because of three basic elements: who are involved, the importance or necessity of the Fight (i.e. if it is mandated or to fill a title vacancy) and where the fight is held (at home or abroad, depending on economic expediency or impact).
But maybe, it is not yet over.
We may still have Donaire and Casimero fighting in the near future as they have their world belts and the struggle for overall domination and supremacy in the division is far from over.
With Donaire pulling out, Casimero is back against Guillermo Rigondeaux, the former undefeated super bantamweight titlist and now holder of the WBA secondary crown as his opponent on August 14 in the USA. It will be mainly in defense of his WBO trinket.
Meanwhile, Donaire is reportedly eyeing another fight versus WBA super and IBF unified world champion Naoya Inoue later this year. No less than Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, handler of Inoue has confirmed that a rematch could be worked out as Inoue himself has expressed interest in also going after Donaire's WBC belt.
If Casimero takes care of business against Rigondeux in August, the demand for a fight against the winner of the Inoue-Donaire 2 will expectedly be tremendous. Boxing fans around the world will surely frown on and be turned off if either Inoue or Donaire will continue to find reasons to avoid that confrontation.
That's a big if, though as Rigondeaux despite his advanced age of 42 is still a formidable opponent.
On the other hand, a rematch between Inoue and Donaire will be a lulu given that the Filipino nearly pin The Japanese Monster his first career loss when they first met in 2019.
Of course, Pinoy fans are betting and hoping for the most ideal results, that of both Casimero and Donaire winning over Rigondeaux and Inoue.
If that happens, the hope is that Pinoy fans, including media and social media practitioners would be ready and more mature enough to support what will remain as a history making fight- that between two Filipino World champions in a unification for all the marbles, so to speak, in a division very apt in describing our fighters: small but very aggressive and close to our passion for cockfighting.
Only then can we conclude that we Pinoys are ready for All Filipino World Boxing Title Fights.
The way American, Mexican and even Japanese and Thai fans have been eager and supportive of their own fighters clashing for overall domination and supremacy in boxing in whatever weight class.
American and Mexican fighters have been among the most consummate boxing professionals for years and this is because they have among the most rabid and supportive world class fans.
About time we raise the level of our Fandom to that of theirs.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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