I've come to grips with what has become a fact - that black people must prove themselves before they can be taken seriously.

I've come to grips with what has become a fact - that black people must prove themselves before they can be taken seriously.

But sometimes even if they have done that, they still don't get the deserved recognition and respect, and I wonder why is it like that.

Is it because we are seen as being uncultured, blood suckers and atheists or is it purely because we just cannot be trusted.

Many a times when I engage a white fellow in a general conversation I must first get my composure right to earn the go-ahead.

Look at the boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton, genuine boxing enthusiasts, black or white, knew that Hatton would not see the last round.

But white boxing experts untruthfully said the Englishman would taint Mayweather's unblemished fight record of 39 wins.

As if that prediction alone did not warrant a check-in at any mental institution, they predicted a stoppage win for the brawler from Manchester.

But none of them could say exactly what made Hatton, an average boxer in my view, so special as to outsmart the exceptionally talented American.

These are the same white colleagues who tipped a washed up Oscar De La Hoya to defeat Mayweather in May.

Mayweather won and the same doubting Thomasses said Hatton will end his reign, yet they knew too well that it was an achievement for Hatton to simply share the ring with Mayweather - period.

My white colleagues looked at me in disgust when I predicted a ninth or 10th-round stoppage win for Mayweather: a master technician, a dexterous fighter and special pugilist who knows when to switch on his game.

Still, no respect for "Pretty Boy". Instead some white "experts" have already said: "I'd love to see him against Miguel Angel Cotto."

I take my leave.