Kovalev's manager: "Sergey is not a racist."

[Kagami Taiga]

Literal translation: This is not normal behaviour. I'm not racist, I understand that everywhere there are good and bad guys, but every day I like these 'sunburnt' less and less. I live in Florida, where there are many illegal islanders, and I see how they behave themselves.

EDIT - personally, I don't think he is showing any hate based on things like skin colour or background, he is more complaining about behaviour or the way they conduct themselves. In this case, that is not racist...but simply a poor choice of words to describe what he means. Not particularly poor or controversial in Russian but when translated, yes.

Lol, he basically says he doesn't like dark skinned ppl and Cubans.

[PainfromUkraine]

Lol, he basically says he doesn't like dark skinned ppl and Cubans.

I think the issue is more of what he means with his words than what exactly he is saying...I don't think he is hating these groups based on skin colour, but as he says, the way they behave may not be appealing to him, or something he isn't used to after his vastly different upbringing where he would not encounter that.

[hectari]

He was beating up Cornelius White real bad. I bet he was imagining himself as a slave owner in a Southern cotton plantation

Remember those pro black guys on here who kept saying pacman weakness was slick black fighters and Bernard Hopkins said it and even said he would never lose to a white boy? They must really hate kovalev since he does nothing but knock out and brutalize black boxers now they trying to slander his name by calling him a racist because he proved theim wrong.

[Tom Cruise]

Literal translation: This is not normal behaviour. I'm not racist, I understand that everywhere there are good and bad guys, but every day I like these 'sunburnt' less and less. I live in Florida, where there are many illegal islanders, and I see how they behave themselves.

EDIT - personally, I don't think he is showing any hate based on things like skin colour or background, he is more complaining about behaviour or the way they conduct themselves. In this case, that is not racist...but simply a poor choice of words to describe what he means. Not particularly poor or controversial in Russian but when translated, yes.

It's tricky because all languages and cultures have different meanings to what their words and phrases mean. But if I went to a pub in the UK now and said, "Im not racist, but everyday I like these blacks less and less. I live in Reading where there are loads of illegal immigrants, and I see how they behave themselves." Most people would think I was being racist and I would probably agree.

[Kagami Taiga]

I think the issue is more of what he means with his words than what exactly he is saying...I don't think he is hating these groups based on skin colour, but as he says, the way they behave may not be appealing to him, or something he isn't used to after his vastly different upbringing where he would not encounter that.

He's grouped them based on both skin color, and status as immigrants. In this country that's called bigotry. Just because he happens to not be from here doesn't change that fact. I mean he's a boxer, if he's a bigot then fine. It may affect the way hbo chooses to showcase him tho, because in the end, he has to appeal to American fans. But that all depends on how big this story gets. But what he said, is typically not considered wise.

[PainfromUkraine]

It's tricky because all languages and cultures have different meanings to what their words and phrases mean. But if I went to a pub in the UK now and said, "Im not racist, but everyday I like these blacks less and less. I live in Reading where there are loads of illegal immigrants, and I see how they behave themselves." Most people would think I was being racist and I would probably agree.

He's grouped them based on both skin color, and status as immigrants. In this country that's called bigotry. Just because he happens to not be from here doesn't change that fact. I mean he's a boxer, if he's a bigot then fine. It may affect the way hbo chooses to showcase him tho, because in the end, he has to appeal to American fans. But that all depends on how big this story gets. But what he said, is typically not considered wise.

Yeah yeah no doubt, but i'm just saying it depends on which society this is happening in. For example, let's say he grew up in Russia for 25 years basically acting like that cos it was acceptable and everybody else was doing it, then compare it to a multicultural society such as the UK or USA, it will seem really different and you won't be able to act in the same way. I mean, @Tom Cruise, I agree that looks racist, but to be honest if you look at it - it isn't - racism is hate of a group or people based on things like skin colour, why should it be deemed racist if you make a remark about behaviour if it's from a certain group, regardless of which but likely a minority, it is seen as racist, it's just the way the society is conditioned where basically there is a rule where something is acceptable or not, even if it isn't particularly bad, if it's viewed as taboo you can't say it. Think about if you went to a pub and said that 50 years ago or something, I don't think you would be seen as or see yourself as being racist.

@DempseyRollin Yeah I think Sergey should just become accustomed to how it is in a multicultural society and respect the country he is in, and just not be so forthright with particularly incendiary remarks (in the context he is in, which may not be the same back home.

[hectari]

It's tricky because all languages and cultures have different meanings to what their words and phrases mean. But if I went to a pub in the UK now and said, "Im not racist, but everyday I like these blacks less and less. I live in Reading where there are loads of illegal immigrants, and I see how they behave themselves." Most people would think I was being racist and I would probably agree.

So who is to blame? What if he observe the people in his area and many of them are acting unruly is that his fault? So he is racist for stating his observation of the area he lives? How about you attack those who acting unruly not kovlav.

[Russian Crushin]

Yeah and that might be the problem

To english speakers, sure. Like many have said the word doesnt have the same meaning as it does in the US and taking it out of context, it sounds bad.

[Tom Cruise]

Yeah yeah no doubt, but i'm just saying it depends on which society this is happening in. For example, let's say he grew up in Russia for 25 years basically acting like that cos it was acceptable and everybody else was doing it, then compare it to a multicultural society such as the UK or USA, it will seem really different and you won't be able to act in the same way.

I can only judge him based on my own values though.

Understanding why he said what he said is different to agreeing with it. I understand, I dont agree. I think at least it was a racially charged comment to make.

I mean, @Tom Cruise, I agree that looks racist, but to be honest if you look at it - it isn't - racism is hate of a group or people based on things like skin colour, why should it be deemed racist if you make a remark about behaviour if it's from a certain group, regardless of which but likely a minority, it is seen as racist, it's just the way the society is conditioned where basically there is a rule where something is acceptable or not, even if it isn't particularly bad, if it's viewed as taboo you can't say it. Think about if you went to a pub and said that 50 years ago or something, I don't think you would be seen as or see yourself as being racist.

Maybe it is strong to say what he said was blatantly racist. But I think that as soon as you start judging racial groups based on the actions of individuals it is a bad road to go down.

To the bolded I could have gotten away with saying some pretty horrific stuff about ***s if I was in **** Germany, does that mean its ok to say it now?

So who is to blame? What if he observe the people in his area and many of them are acting unruly is that his fault? So he is racist for stating his observation of the area he lives? How about you attack those who acting unruly not kovlav.

If I hear a ****** praising the 9/11 *********s, should I say I dont like ******s? If I see a group of drunk soccer fans fighting, should I say I dont like soccer fans?

No, I shouldn't. Becuase that would be prejudiced. Same way that Kovalev shouldnt make judgements about 'tanned' people based on the actions of a few.

[Russian Crushin]

He's grouped them based on both skin color, and status as immigrants. In this country that's called bigotry. Just because he happens to not be from here doesn't change that fact. I mean he's a boxer, if he's a bigot then fine. It may affect the way hbo chooses to showcase him tho, because in the end, he has to appeal to American fans. But that all depends on how big this story gets. But what he said, is typically not considered wise.

How is that bigotry. If he didnt like someone based on experience, thats the way he sees it. He's not showing intolerance. People get so sensitive when you say you dont like someone. He's an immigrant himself, yet he's bigoted towards immigrants?