Nonito Donaire Jr calls father’s KO prediction ‘painful’

Nonito Donaire Jr. is hoping to break what he called "generational trauma" after he learned that his father and former trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. predicted that he would get knocked out by Alexandro Santiago.

Last weekend, Donaire Jr., 40, suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time in his career after a unanimous decision loss to Santiago, who claimed the vacant WBC world bantamweight title.

He took to Twitter after finding that Donaire Sr., who was in his corner when he first won a world title back in 2007, had predicted in a video that he would lose via knockout.

Wow. Just found out that my DAD was predicting I'd get koed by Santiago. That stings differently.

— Nonito Donaire - filipinoflash.eth (@filipinoflash) August 1, 2023

I AM breaking generational trauma. N if this process has to hurt, I'll take it to ensure my kids never have to feel what I have felt. Hearing my dad say he's training guys to beat me n teach me a lesson n predict I'm going to get koed just so he can point n laugh is painful. BUT

— Nonito Donaire - filipinoflash.eth (@filipinoflash) August 1, 2023

But...I will lead with my heart open and vulnerable and hold a safe space of growth love and understanding so my kids and their kids will NEVER have to feel what I'm feeling. Again Dad, I wish u nothing but happiness. I hope u find that so ur heart will be at peace.

— Nonito Donaire - filipinoflash.eth (@filipinoflash) August 1, 2023

"Wow. Just found out that my DAD was predicting I'd get KO'd by Santiago. That stings differently," Donaire tweeted.

"I am breaking generational trauma. If this process has to hurt, I'll take it to ensure my kids never have to feel what I have felt. Hearing my dad say he's training guys to beat me and teach me a lesson and predict I'm going to get KO'd just so he can point and laugh is painful."

“But I will lead with my heart open and vulnerable and hold a safe space of growth, love and understanding so my kids and their kids will never have to feel what I’m feeling. Again Dad, I wish you nothing but happiness. I hope you find that so your heart will be at peace.”

Donaire Sr. and Donaire Jr. have been at odds throughout the years. The strain on their relationship escalated when the two parties exchanged shots on social media stemming from Donaire Sr. becoming the trainer for Donaire Jr.'s former opponent Reymart Gaballo, who campaigns in the same weight class.

Donaire Sr. called for Donaire Jr.’s retirement after he got stopped in two rounds by Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue last year. He doubled down on that with a Facebook post last Thursday again calling for his son’s retirement.

Donaire Jr.’s camp has yet to make a decision on the future of his career.

"Regarding the fight and the future, we are just settling in. We will have the discussion when we are clear," Donaire’s trainer, manager, and wife Rachel said in an exclusive interview.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News