WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire 41-6 (27) has made the shock decision to withdraw from his unification bout against WBO champion John Riel Casimero 30-4 (21) little more than a week after it was announced.
The 38-year-old Donaire was scheduled to face fellow Filipino Casimero at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on August 14, replacing Cuban southpaw Guillermo Rigondeaux 20-1 (13) who agreed to step aside to allow the two-belt but to take place.
The winner was expected to face Japanese superstar and WBA and IBF champion Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue 21-0 (18) in a rare four-belt unification bout to establish an undisputed champion at 118-pounds.
It didn’t take long for the Casimero fight to fall apart in the public eye with Donaire’s wife and manager Rachel calling out Team Casimero for their tardiness in registering for VADA testing.
Donaire was one of the early adopters of VADA, signing up for year-round testing a decade ago. He has been an advocate of their drug testing protocols ever since.
Donaire also took issue with comments directed towards his wife that he regarded as disrespectful.
He made his announcement on social media on Wednesday.
“I am known to take stands people are afraid to take,” Donaire said. “I STAND for VADA 24/7/365 testing for ALL boxers. This should never be refused or delayed.
“I stand against BULLYING in any form. I STAND against the disrespect and ABUSE of women and children physically, mentally and emotionally. AND I STAND against misogynistic culture.
“A grown man recently told the mother of my boys to ‘snack on his —-‘. We cannot ignore this unprofessional behaviour. We cannot excuse the disgusting trolling memes created of my wife as ‘just for entertainment’.
“I don’t want other pro athletes to cross this line and think this type of behaviour is acceptable. We have to maintain a respectable character, especially online, for the future generations to emulate, and not promote ignorance and foul behaviour.
“For the boxing culture to change, promoters and networks should veer away from unacceptable behaviour and not encourage it.
“That being said, as we’ve stated before, we cancelled this fight when they delayed turning in the VADA paperwork for 5 days. We have proof that the opposing side was neither honest nor forthcoming in providing the proper information to begin VADA drug testing.
“AFTER we cancelled the fight, then and only then did the paperwork suddenly appear. I do what I say. And as much as I want to knock him out, I’m going to take the high road and instead of highlighting his misbehaviours, I’m not going to give his example the stage or the payday that comes with it.”
Casimero’s team are still insisting the fight will go ahead, although that looks incredibly unlikely after the strongly-worded statement issued by Donaire.
