Nonito Donaire in dispute with British bookmaker following Burnett stoppage win
Nonito Donaire [39(25)-5(1)] revitalised his career on Saturday night with a massive win in Scotland.
The Filipino four-weight world champion dethroned Ryan Burnett to take the WBA bantamweight title and progress to the semi-finals of the World Boxing Super Series.
Donaire was a major underdog for the clash at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow and there was an element of the unusual to his win – with Burnett, who was leading on the cards, being pulled out ater the fourth round having injured his back.
The retirement from Burnett [19(9)-1(1)] counts as a stoppage and goes down as a knockout loss on the Belfast boxer’s record and a knockout win on Donaire’s ledger.
This method of victory was the widest with bookies beforehand, and was flagged by many as a ‘value’ bet.
One person who took a gamble on the outcome was Gerry Herrera Marcial, the father-in-law of Donaire, who was in Scotland for the fight and also celebrating his 61st birthday.
Marcial bet £200 at odds of 12-1, mainly with British bookmaker Betfred, for Donaire to stop Burnett as well as a £50 bet on his son-in-law to win by any method at 11/2 – which would total £2,925 including stake.
However, the happy in-law was left distraught when the outlet refused to honour the bet when he came to collect his winnings.
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In a post on Facebook [in which the spelling and syntax has been corrected here], Marcial outlined how this joyful celebration was muddied by Scotland’s Betfred betting post who do not want to pay out my winning wager. as usual, I would wager on my son in law. Moreso because I used my lucky birthday money, I surmised that even thought Nonito is the underdog, he has a strong chance of a knockout or a win due to his strong punching power. Thus I bet on a win and a separate bet for the win with a knockout. Betfred willingly accepted the bet since I was betting on the underdog.”
“After the win, the following day, I tried to collect but was told they were low on cash and I needed to return the following day. Unable to return because of my flight, I gave my winning ticket to my daughter [Donaire’s wife and manager Rachel] to claim.”
“For numerous days, different reasoning was given to her by BetFred for not being able to pay out. Lastly Betfred tried to challenge her mentally, thinking she had lack of education of the rules governed by BBBofC, and saying that, because I’m family, I could be putting Nonito’s boxing licence in jeopardy.”
“They must not know my daughter very well and I am sure she gave them an earful. [Betfred] kept using the reasoning that she is ‘American’ and she doesnt understand – she started to cite BBBofC regulations and even had the number in which it stated the rule of the Member not being able to place bets pmeaning Nonito himself of course cannot bet on himself] but did not affect me of becausec I’m not stepping into the ring.
“This is illegal and them trying to bully us around and discriminate against us just because we are American is not right. And let’s just put it this way, if I lost my bet, could I have gone back in and said ‘I wanted my money back’ because I’m his father in law? No, of course not.”
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Donaire publicised the incident last night through his social media channels.
I love my father in law for his belief in me, but it is wrong for @Betfred to try to take his winnings. https://t.co/imq5YgznQp https://t.co/bHk9gBWwbi
— Nonito Donaire (@filipinoflash) November 6, 2018
Here u go @Betfred since you are so “knowledgeable” to tell me that it’s in the regulation of BBBofC that my dad cant bet bc hes family and would “know” if hed win or not is BS. pic.twitter.com/G72Zp0Nw6J
— Rachel Donaire (@Knockout_Queen) November 6, 2018
Since going public with their complaint against Betfred, the Donaires have been inundated with messages of support from fans and fellow fighters and even former opponent Carl Frampton.
Pay the man! Disgraceful from Betfred https://t.co/bUvL1tyGRo
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) November 6, 2018
Betfred, in response to Rachel Donaire, have set that they are investigating the situation.
We will investigate what has happened and get back to you. Thanks
— Betfred (@Betfred) November 6, 2018
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—–UPDATE—–
Since writing, Betfred have agreed to pay ouy on the bet.
Following an investigation and dialogue with the British Boxing Board of Control we are now in a position to pay out on this bet. Apologies for the delay.
— Betfred (@Betfred) November 7, 2018
