If Nonito Donaire has his way, withdrawing from his scheduled Aug. 14 bantamweight unification bout against countryman John Riel Casimero will become the landmark event boxing needs to implement 24/7, year-round drug testing for championship events.
While that pursuit of integrity remains elusive, the 38-year-old four-division champion from the Philippines has taken a stand for something more: common decency. By Donaire’s accounting, the only way to defend the honor of his wife and manager Rachel is to walk away from the disrespect Casimero, his strength and conditioning coach, Angel “Memo” Heredia, and the boxer’s manager Sean Gibbons have heaped upon her.
“People have to show a light on these things that have been holding boxing down and holding our world down,” Donaire said.
