I applaud Nonito Donaire’s stance on drug testing and now every boxer must follow him

Carl Frampton

Nonito Donaire

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Nonito Donaire

July 11 2021 11:04 AM

Nonito Donaire has cemented his legacy as an all-time great sportsman even further by withdrawing from a massive fight because he wanted his opponent to be signed up to the VADA 365 drug testing protocols.

Nonito won the WBC bantamweight title in May and was set to face fellow Filipino John Riel Casimero, the WBO champion, on August 14. He requested that Casimero sign up to VADA testing and when that wasn’t resolved, he pulled out. Casimero will now face Guillermo Rigondeaux. Nonito then put out a statement: “I am known to take stands people are afraid to take. I stand for VADA 24/7/365 testing for ALL boxers. This should never be refused or delayed.”

This is the stance that we need from every boxer. The time has come for every fighter in the top 20 in the world to be mandated to sign up for this testing programme. Nonito is the standard bearer and every top fighter, promoter and even the television companies should be highlighting this issue and making sure the sport finally takes the fight against performance-enhancing drugs seriously.

Ahead of my 2016 world title fight with Scott Quigg, I was asked if I would sign up to VADA testing and I had no problem doing so. I’ll be honest, it was a pain having to make sure you had every form filled in and making sure your whereabouts were up to date. Leading up to one fight, I was in Tenerife when they came to test me in the morning at my home because I had forgotten to update it. They gave me one strike even though I was training in Tenerife and had been posting photos on social media showing where I was.

But if that’s the system then that’s what has to happen so there can be no doubt about how fighters are preparing for bouts, in the same way that elite athletes have to be stringent in their preparations for competitions such as the Olympics. I had no problem being one of the most tested boxers in the UK when I was IBF super-bantamweight champion. In the space of a year I could easily have been tested 12 times. Even after I retired, I received a letter that stated that if I ever wanted to return to the ring I would have to give VADA six months’ notice so if there are any YouTubers out there who want to fight me they should know it will take time to make it happen!

There is no doubt that the use of PEDs has become a curse within boxing and it says a lot that it takes a boxer to make a stand to raise the issue. The governing bodies need to make their own stand and demand it for every fighter who is in their rankings and the cost cannot be allowed to be passed onto the fighters. There is enough money coming from the TV companies and streaming services like DAZN to cover this.

It was good to see that Errol Spence and Manny Pacquiao have agreed to VADA testing for their August 21 world welterweight title fight in Las Vegas but the point still has to be made that they should be signed up for the 365 days a year testing protocol.

If I was still boxing I would be standing right with Nonito and there is an opportunity now for the sport to move forward on this issue. We’ve had enough of too many rumours about boxers who may be on PEDs and lenient bans on those who do get caught out.

Nonito has been prepared to suffer the loss of a big pay day in a world title unification fight and now it’s time for others to step up to the plate.

Tyrone McKenna can serve up a cracker at Falls Park

Tyrone McKenna deserves a lot of credit for going straight back into a tough fight at Falls Park on August 6 when he faces unbeaten Zhankosh Turarov.

They were meant to box in Dubai in April on the undercard of my fight with Jamel Herring but Turarov failed a Covid test at the last moment. Turarov clearly fancies it but from what I’m told he’s a bit of a bully boy in the ring and if that’s the case he has picked the wrong man to face in Tyrone.

Turarov has built up a good record and his team obviously have big plans for him but Tyrone is as tough as they come so he’s going to ask him some serious questions and with the fans behind him he’s going to be hard to beat.

Turarov likes to have things his own way and box at the pace he likes and maybe that’s the way he has enjoyed his career so far but Tyrone won’t be backing off and letting him do what he wants.

Fighting for the WBO intercontinental light-welterweight title, this is a great opportunity for Tyrone to bounce back from the defeat to Ohara Davies and get right back into the world title picture and it could be the fight of the night at Falls Park, even though Mick Conlan against TJ Doheny is a cracker as well.

Rory McIlroy can give us a major boost at The Open

It’s seven years since Rory McIlroy won a Major golf title and I think there could be no better time for him to end that drought.

For someone of his talent it’s hard to believe it has been that long and I really hope that he can do it for himself and also the country, which could do with a real lift after going through this pandemic. Rory can put a smile on everyone’s face by lifting the Claret Jug at Royal St George’s.

Rossa loves Blackpool

I’m just back from Blackpool after spending three days there with the family and after all the walking we did it’s probably the most active I’ve been since retiring from boxing.

It was a big hit with the kids and despite having been to America and Turkey, my son Rossa says that Blackpool is now his favourite place. After the pandemic nightmare we’ve all been through, I’d certainly recommend it for a break away — unless England win the Euros!