By Luis Sandoval
WBO Super Bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire made news when he agreed to be the first professional boxer to undergo year round random Olympic style drug testing that will be administered by VADA (Voluntary Anti-Drug Association).
With Donaire doing drug testing all year long, one has to wonder if that will mean all his future opponents will also have to subject themselves to the random drug testing in order to secure a fight with the Filipino Flash.
When Donaire appeared on the most recent edition of BoxingScene’s official radio show The Boxing Lab, he gave a surprising answer.
“The guys that I’m fighting, I will invite them to this testing [and] to prove to the world that boxing is a good sport. That we are clean and we’re fair. But that’s up to them to take it. I’m not going to push and instill it in them that they have to do it if they want to fight me. I’m not that type of person” revealed Donaire.
Most fighters now days have made random drug testing a prerequisite in order for a fight with them and an opponent to be possible. Floyd Mayweather who essentially pioneered random drug testing in professional boxing requires his opponent and well as himself to participate in drug testing. In fact, Austin Trout who is being considered as a possible opponent for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez said he would demand VADA administered random drug testing be agreed upon if a fight with him and Canelo were to take place.
Even more surprising than Donaire’s reluctance to make random drug testing a requirement in order to fight him, he goes as far as to say he’d even still fight an opponent even if they tested positive.
“Regardless if they do test positive, I will put my life and my waiver that I will fight that guy. And I will prove to the world that I’m still better even though that guy is on it. I mean to me, they’re not mandated to do a drug testing but I invite them to do it and I hope they do” stated the Filipino Flash.
Donaire’s willingness to take year round drug testing is definitely commendable. Given all the recent positive drug test results we have been seeing, it’s a breath of fresh air to have a fighter willing to get tested this extensively to prove he’s clean. For him, he does it for those who support him and to prove you can still accomplish things and reach the top level by good old fashioned hard work.
“For me I’m doing it because I owe it to my fans. That they’re supporting a guy who grew up being pushed down and let them know I made it happen because I work hard. I believe in myself and that anybody can make it happen if they work hard and be honest and do it the right way”.
You can listen to Nonito Donaire’s interview in its entirety by listening to The Boxing Lab podcast: http://tobtr.com/s/3308401
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene’s official audio show every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.