The word war on social media between Filipino world boxing champions John Riehl Casimero and Nonito Donaire has erupted anew.
The good news, though, is that a fight contract has been laid down, as claimed by Donaire, who is asking for Casimero to sign the dotted line to make the unification bout happen sometime in December, but not without some scathing thrash talks.
“Nauntog na ba utak mo boy? Nagdemanda ka, hindi ako aatras sa kontrata kahit may trashtalk at sumunod ako. As long as magpa-VADA testing ka at nag-agree ka, kaya may mga kontrata (na) ipinadala sa ‘yo para pirmahan mo,” said Donaire, the World Boxing Council bantamweight champion.
“Pa-check up ka sa doctor muna, baka nasira na utak mo. Natutulog ka ba John Riel Reponte Casimero?” added Donaire in response to a post by Casimero.
In a post on Facebook under his social media name—Quadro Alas It’s My Boy—Casimero dared Donaire to finally meet him on the ring.
“Aba tika (teka) Nonita, nag-iingay ka na naman diyan. Baka ‘pag patulan kita aatras ka na naman,” the World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion wrote.
Casimero, who went back home to his hometown in Leyte last week, replied that he has not yet received any contract, but assured Donaire that he will sign it once it is sent to him.
“Nonito Donaire Jr., malapit na akong pumunta diyan sa US. ‘Yan ang hinintay ko, na ikaw ang lumapit sa akin. Wala pa talaga akong natanggap na papel o kontrata galing sa ‘yo. Wala akong inaayawan na laban. Bisaya ni Bai John Riel Reponte Casimero.”
But in a posted reply written in Bisaya, Donaire said the contract has already been sent to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association and to Casimero’s management team in the US.
Donaire, a future boxing Hall of Famer with a fight record of 41 wins (27KOs) and 6 losses, backed out of the supposed unification bout with Casimero due to what he claimed were disrespectful remarks against him and his wife by Casimero and his team on social media.
Casimero fought Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux instead and won by a unanimous decision to retain his WBO crown and improve his record to 31 wins (21 KOs) against only four losses.
World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation bantamweight champ Naoya Inoue of Japan has also called out Casimero but no concrete steps were taken for what could be an intriguing matchup between two exciting fighters.
Donaire, meanwhile, has been aching for a rematch with Inoue, who barely beat him in their first meeting in November, 2019.
