MANILA, Philippines – Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire fired back at a Facebook user who left what he felt was a racially charged comment in his post congratulating unbeaten light-welterweight champion Terence "Bud" Crawford.
Donaire commended Crawford for his eight-round demolition of John Molina last weekend, after which the Omaha-based fighter called out Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.
He also fired back at a commenter who called Crawford a "bum," saying: "Then why doesn't (Freddie) Roach want the match??"
But Donaire took exception to a comment left by Facebook user Theo Rice, who said: "Ang bitter mo Nonito halatang halata… mag-training ka na lang!!! Keep riding the black bandwagon!" The comment was written in all caps.
Likely feeling that a simple reply to the comment would not have been enough, Donaire instead addressed the statement in a separate post, saying it was time to "call a spade a spade."
"I'm tired of people hanging to their nationality, religion, etc. as a means to hate on people. It's called racial prejudice," he declared.
Donaire explained that Crawford, along with Jessie Vargas, Andre Ward, Brandon Rios, and even Timothy Bradley Jr. were his friends and brothers whom he grew up with in the amateur ranks, and they still congratulate each other after matches even though they have since gone on to different boxing stables.
"Being a boy, a friend and a brother means rooting regardless what my nationality is or theirs. These guys and more have supported me and been to my fights and truly been friends," he said.
"I get that most of you commenting here are from the Philippines and are surrounded by Filipinos," he said. "But when you are out here in America, will you choose to only be friends with Filipinos?"
"Would you discriminate friendship from any other race because they are simply not your race? And would you not be friends or post about it because of fear you'd be judged for being friends with that person?" he asked.
Donaire appealed for his fans to "stop with the crab mentality."
"Close your eyes and believe with your heart, remove the judgment that society and culture had placed upon us," he added.
When a commenter told Donaire to stop being arrogant and not compare himself to high-caliber fighters, he responded: "That has zero to do with being racist. ZERO."
Others said that Donaire should just stay silent and not give special attention to the "troll," but the former Fighter of the Year stood his ground.
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