Nonito Donaire Jr. responds to "bashing" from Viloria's camp

"I just don't see what the big deal or problem is. Robert Garcia will be my strategist, and I am happy to add his expertise to my team to help advise me for my next fight. Garcia is one of the great boxing minds we have in the sport and I'm sure any fighter would love to have him in his corner. Jonathan Penalosa and Mike Bazzel are still part of my team and they will focus on my conditioning. I think it's a great move and I am honored Robert took in my request despite his busy schedule training world champions like my friend Steven Luevano,"
That was Nonito Donaire Jr.'s response to news spreading on the internet after Brian Viloria's live-in girlfriend posted some strong words against Donaire after announcing the hiring of Brian Viloria's current trainer Robert Garcia.

The website Boxer's Camp reported the story in an article and quoted Erica Navarro's post on the popular social networking site Facebook saying, "Navarro blasted a certain fighter for hiring a certain trainer. Navarro and her friends went as far as calling this fighter names, including loser and copycat. Boxing insiders believe that she is referring to Donaire and his move on hiring Roberto Garcia, Viloria’s trainer, as part of his team."

The Boxing Truth also quoted Donaire responding to the harsh statements saying, “I didn't think I was stepping on any one's toes hiring Robert. Just like Freddie (Roach), I figured Robert could coach whoever he wanted. I mean he coaches my friend, Steven Luevano, a world champion, as well."

In response, Viloria wrote on his Twitter page in response to The Boxing Truth article, "My concern was, I didn't want Robert to get spreaded out too thin like what happened with Freddie & I. We had an understanding."

It's not news to anybody that follows Philippines boxing that Donaire and Viloria has some kind of history that became public when Donaire had some harsh words against Viloria that hit Youtube saying "The Hawaiian Punch was not on his level," back in 2007. Personally I thought they have squashed their beef as shown in this video below when Nonito Donaire Jr. even wrapped his arms around Viloria inviting him on the podium during the Pacquiao-Hatton post fight press conference to be recognized as a fellow champion.

Donaire also said, “Well I guess there is still some bad blood then. I apologized already for saying that he wasn't on my level and explained that I was just cutting weight and tired when that interview came.”

Personally, I admire both fighters for their brilliance inside the ring and I hope somehow they could mend their end completely outside the ring. If they can't, how delicious is a Donaire-Viloria match-up? I know some of you might scoff at the idea, but just like how we used to settle our differences back in my hood in the Philippines, we just shut up, knuckle up and be done with it. Now, I am not about to start a fight between these two, I am simply reporting what I've read and heard, but a fight between two of the country's finest might just be what the Philippines need to show the world how much more talent really there is coming from the country other than Manny Pacquiao. Think along the lines of Morales-Barrera. Catch my drift?
As much as I can sympathize with Donaire for being offended by the statements from Viloria's camp, all I can say is that I think the Garcia hiring is a smart move. He can definitely gain a lot from the former world champion and veteran of the sport. As for Viloria, I think Garcia would not compromise his services to any of his fighters, he after all trains other fighters as well. He's a pro and I'm sure he knows what he is doing.

In the words of the famous song, "Can't we all just get along?"

Source: eXaminer.com