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

[Zano-24]

I don't know why people are making such a big deal about this. Once he becomes a big enough figure in boxing then you should bring this up. As of now hes just a hype job. There are a lot of boxers who do and say a lot of wicked stuff.

[Russian Crushin]

Lol, dude...smh. U need to understand the term and what it means. If u can't at least do that much then why are u even trying to have a debate? The fact is, no matter how u choose to look at it, based on norms in the United States what kovalev said is considered bigotry. Many would be insulted with it and they have a right to be. It's not something u can defend honestly. In the end, he's a boxer, so it works for him. I'm not mad at him at all personally. But that doesn't make what he said any less bigoted. Because it is.

How is it bigoted, google the word and see what it means. Saying he had a bad experience wth a certain group and it effects how he views them is not bigoted. No way, ********** getting mad screaming racism when someone doesn't like someone, what a surprise

There's nothing to defend, people who don't know Russian and are using literal translation and taking things out of context are crying racism

[hectari]

[PainfromUkraine]

Grover - this is the main scoundrel/villain/opponent that you have met in the ring?
- Well, as a villain... just, he behaved himself in an unsportsmanlike way. In general, for some reason within the african-americans there appears some inadequate guys. If in sparring, something does not go their way or does not work for them, they may hit you with an elbow. There was such a case when a white guy beat a black guy. After the workout, he took out his gun and began waving it in the face of his 'enemy', threatening to shoot him. 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 'tanned' less and less. I live in Florida, where there are many illegal islanders, and I see how they behave themselves.

That's the entire thing.

At the end of the day though, he only made these remarks in the one interview in Russia (right?), where his words would not be misconstrued or seen in an offensive way, so in some ways it is irrelevent. Just because the translation sounds bad to some, this doesn't mean if he was asked the same question in english then his answer would be exactly the same. He knew his words would not be offensive in the context he was asked, or in Russia, so he described his experience in that way.

He isn't saying blacks are inferior or should be treated differently, he is just saying some actions or behaviour which he was experienced means he has not liked the individuals. However, not liking is not 'hating', which would be more racist. Then again, consider he probably can't make an accurate judgement or opinion of black people if he hadnt experienced or met any for at least the first 20 years of his life (probably).

[Citizen Koba]

Dude, it's bigoted and u are trying too hard. Once u start judging a whole group of ppl from your experiences with less that 1% of that group, u are being a bigot. He is being a bigot. Stop defending him. U look pathetic. "For some reason, within African Americans" seriously? Tell me how that's not bigotry?

Damn - I swore to myself I wouldn't get involved in this kinda discussion on a boxing forum, but...ho hum.

Yeah - it probably...no ..is bigotry. The same bigotry shared by many whites - (actually non-blacks) in the US and UK alike. The myth peddled by the media that black guys hanging around on the street are potential crack-addled gun toting lunatics is pretty pervasive in the news, film and TV.

Reading between the lines essentially Sergei has bought into this meme - he's scared (though of course he says 'I like less and less') of these guys cos he doesn't understand them and a gun is something he can't fight with his fists. This puts him in common with many non-blacks who haven't really lived near or in black communities (and many who have) - but what he's clearly talking about (though he doesn't specify) - is not 'black people' - but 'the c#cky looking black guys who I'm afraid might pull a gun on me'.

Is it bigotry? well yeah - not because he dislikes 'black people' though, but because he's accepted a cultural meme that 'Black guys who look a particular way are likely to be dangerous'.

Is it normal in a society where blacks especially the younger guys are deliberately and systematically portrayed as dangerously unpredictable criminals? - yeah.

Should Sergei Kovalev, with the advent of media attention in him, learn to pick his words more carefully, even in his mother tongue? - most definitely.

[Russian Crushin]

not every russian is bad but i had a negative experience with 5 russians..........I like these "pale skins" less and less each day.

thats basically his comments flipped around.

"whats bigoted about that"

you're right.............perfectly good comments.

Again the literal translation sounds bad but it isnt a term of hatred, it is a word used in russia. I dont know what to tell you, learn russian and you will understand.

[DoktorSleepless]

the context was him being asked about an individual fighter who he had a bad experience with, which he broadened out talking about another incident involving a black fighter, then started observing black peoples behavior in 'his experience'

thats not a logical line of thought from Kovalev in my opinion given the question asked

More specifically, the context was the interviewer asking why Kovalev called a guy a "purebred nigger" (which even if you forgive the nigger part, the main insulting bit was implying there is something bad about being especially black) So keeping it in context, Kovalev constantly mentioning the color of these guys skin in his story was all about justifying the insult.

[PACnPBFsuck]

Fact: Racism only exist in English speaking countries.

Fact: Lost in translation trumps any racism argument.

[Banderivets]

The Russian term "tanned" is "zagorelyi" which can also be translated as "sunburned".

Besides how is calling a black person "tanned" racist? If anything that means that the "races" are the same, its just that one spent more time in the sun...sounds fairly equal to me.

[El Jesus]

Fact: Racism only exist in English speaking countries.

Fact: Lost in translation trumps any racism argument.

That's how it's coming across. Fact is here in America we don't tolerate that. Broner Hopkins and Tyson were rightfully reprimanded for their statements....well except Tyson I can't stand skip Malinowski. Why should Sergei be above that. Bottom line is knows what he's saying, if this was so widespread why is this not more common among Russian and Eastern European boxers and Nba players here in America, some of them arriving here for the first time on draft day. Fact is he feels a certain way about Latinos and blacks.

You all can deflect all you want, I speak Spanish and Portuguese and I fully understand context especially having spent so much time in rio, I've learned people mean what they say. If he didn't truly fave bigoted feelings he wouldn't be grouping us like that. Some of my fellow Latinos in this thread make me sick. Justifying his obviously ignorant comments. I appreciate the posters translating and trying to provide context but here in America that **** doesn't fly.