Nonito Donaire vs John Riel Casimero poster. Photo from Nonito Donaire’s Twitter
MANILA, Philippines—John Riel Casimero may have taken his brashness a bit too far. And Nonito Donaire Jr., who has feuded with his fellow Filipino boxing standout, was among the first to call him out.
Casimero, the WBO bantamweight champion, appeared to have mocked Freddie Roach’s manner of speaking during an appearance in the RichDon TV YouTube channel.
The loudmouthed boxer said he would opt for a Filipino trainer because Roach, Manny Pacquiao’s legendary trainer who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, talks like a robot and is difficult to understand.
“Siyempre gusto ko Pilipino. Hindi kami magkaka-intindihan nun. Tapos yung pagsasalita pa hindi pa gaanong marinig. Parang robot,” said Casimero.
(Of course, I want a Filipino trainer because we [Roach and I] won’t understand each other. His speech [is not that discernible]. He talks like a robot.)
These comments did not sit well with Donaire as he expressed his disgust in the comment section of his Facebook account.
“That was sad,” wrote Donaire. “Freddie is not only a legendary trainer but also a human being!”
“You don’t make fun of someone like that. Not about health, especially in this sport we are in. You don’t know when karma will come back around.”
Incidentally, Casimero trained at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in the lead up for his fight against Guillermo Rigondeaux in August.
Rigondeaux was a second-choice for Casimero, who was supposed to battle Donaire in a match that would unify the WBO and World Boxing Council titles.
But the 38-year-old Donaire, who’s always shown class toward his opponents, pulled out of the fight.
Aside from disrespecting his wife Rachel, Donaire also said Casimero is also not enrolled with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
Casimero has continuously prodded at Donaire in several social media posts, most of which were polarizing.