Donaire-Casimero Good for Boxing Business But Politically Bad in This PH Election Season
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 21 Sep 2021
Had Nonito Donaire and Johnriel Casimero fought last August in the US, it would have gone down as the first All-Filipino world boxing unification fight in the rich annals of Philippine Boxing.
It would have been a promoter's dream match up with two ethnic Filipino fighters fighting not only for the WBC and WBO crowns but for personal pride and glory. Albeit their Filipino boxing fans in the Philippines and abroad rent asunder by their own personal picks and loyalties between the two.
That fight did not happen when Nonito pulled out over disagreement on prefight drug testing and alleged insulting remarks thrown at his manager-wife Rachel.
Johnriel went on to fight his originally contracted foe, Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux and cowed him to a split decision victory to retain his WBO title after which he sent a warning to both Nonito and WBA-IBF unified champion Naoya Inoue that they are next.
Both Nonito and Naoya did not take the challenge lightly with the visibly irked Japanese Monster asking his handlers to arrange a fight ASAP. But Bob Arum did not budge for he is planning for a Naoya fight not earlier than early 2022 in the US.
That left Nonito to pursue a fight versus his brash and daring countryman and promptly his camp sent Casimero a contract to sign recently.
But for some reason, strangely, nothing has been heard from Casimero since. I reached out to former Fil-Am world champion Morris East who is Casimero's US based legal manager until next year, for some comments but he has yet to return our call.
The roles have been seemingly reversed with the challenged now pursuing the challenger to walk the talk.
Why the sudden silence and inaction from the Casimero camp?
Has it got to do with former three time WBO and WBA welterweight super titlist and the only eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao declaring his bid for the presidency?
Though like Donaire, Casimero is virtually "owned" by Premier Boxing Champions promotion of Floyd Mayweather Jr, he is under guidance by Pacquiao's MP Promotion thru MPP president Sean Gibbons.
On a more general sense, has his indecision got to do with the soon to be declared Philippine national/presidential election season which is notorious for its volatility and divisiveness?
Both Donaire and Casimero have been identified with certain politicians in the course of their respective generally highly successful boxing careers but they are not known for any political leanings.
However, due to the almost "anything goes and anything is possible" nature of the Philippine political and electoral landscape, even sports events and sports personalities could be manipulated to advance partisan interests.
A Donaire-Casimero world bantamweight unification fight, while a dream match up boxing business speaking could also be a political nightmare especially for the boxers and their camps and relations if set later this year up to July 2022 where ever it is held.
Even PBC may have a second thought of making it happen notwithstanding the fact it could be a big draw.
Sayang. What a waste.
That fight has the potentials of a Fight of the Year candidate with the winner giving Canelo Alvarez a run for the Fighter of the Year award.
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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