Donaire dumps Arum for GBP -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Tired of fighting under the shadow of Manny Pacquiao, world bantamweight king Nonito Donaire yesterday said he has signed up with Golden Boy Promotions (GBP), leaving Bob Arum enraged and talking about dragging the Filipino-American to court.

In a statement released to media outlets, Donaire said: “I am so honored to be joining so many great fighters and champions on the Golden Boy Promotions team.”

“I am going to fight my heart out every time I am in the ring and will give fans the fights they want to see,” said the 28-year-old puncher who resides in San Leandro, California.

Donaire did not answer calls and text messages seeking comment.

While Donaire opted to stay quiet, Arum could not help but pull the trigger.

“It’s ridiculous. Our contract is so solid,” said the 79-year-old Arum, whose contract with Donaire began in 2008.

Arum said Top Rank has Donaire under contract until 2012 as the company has the right to a one-year extension.

Donaire said Top Rank did not live up to the stipulations in the contract that would guarantee him three fights in one year but Arum said it was impossible to fulfill that because Donaire had two medical suspensions.

“How can you give a guy a fight when he is suspended?” said Arum.

Donaire is looking forward to a May 28 fight but Arum said the legal action that will follow would complicate matters.

“We have just filed a complaint with (retired judge) Daniel Weinstein for arbitration. Hearing is set next week in Los Angeles,” said Arum, naming topnotch litigators Daniel Petrocelli and David Marroso as Top Rank’s representatives to the hearing.

Donaire’s popularity rose last month after he knocked out Fernando Montiel of Mexico in less than two rounds on a Top Rank show in Las Vegas.

Even if Donaire finds himself in legal trouble with Top Rank, there is still a possibility that his May 28 fight under GBP will push through as the warring parties might end up being told to compromise as in their previous episode with Pacquiao when Top Rank was mandated to give a certain amount of Pacquiao’s purse to GBP.

But Arum, who will be in the country next week, doesn’t see it that way.

“Unless he comes back to us, he won’t have a fight. The only fight he is going to have is with his wife Rachel.”

Source: mb.com.ph

Donaire defection to Golden Boy a matter for mediator -- Los Angeles Times

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

World bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire was announced Wednesday as the newest member of Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions stable.

Donaire's prior promoter, Top Rank, isn't letting go of the Filipino product who has looked so sensational in consecutive knockout triumphs in December and February.

While Golden Boy Chief Executive Officer Richard Schaefer says he's looking at a May date for Donaire, Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum said he has Donaire under contract for at least another year and is taking the matter to the referee in the ongoing Top Rank-Golden Boy war, mediator/retired judge Daniel Weinstein.

"We have a valid contract and there's an anti-poaching provision in our arrangement with Golden Boy, so Judge Weinstein will have to adjudicate that," Arum said Thursday. "Our contract prevails."

Donaire and his advisors have previously said Top Rank failed to provide him a sufficienct number of fights or money, thus compromising the promotional contract. Golden Boy's Schaefer said he stood behind Donaire.

Arum, who previously contended he fulfilled Donaire's contract requirements to "offer" the fighter three bouts a year, says the timing of when Donaire's Top Rank contract expires has been altered by the fighter's past hand injuries, which led to six-month and four-month suspensions by boxing regulators.

"By that, we're just starting our third year with him; there's been no breach," Arum said. "We'll clear this up. He'll probably come back into our fold."

Arum is planning a May bout on HBO featuring Donaire, but the fighter was said to have signed an "exclusive, multiyear agreement with Golden Boy" in Wednesday's announcement.

Arum defended Top Rank's decision to leave Donaire off the prior undercards of fights with countryman Manny Pacquiao, explaining Pacquiao -- a co-promoter of his own fights -- wanted to "attract another audience" and have more Latino fighters on a Pacquiao card rather than Donaire.

Donaire's camp, including his wife, Rachel, have said they were displeased by that decision.

Arum maintained Donaire is risking being kept out of the ring in legal limbo.

"This will require patience and will go on for quite some time," he said.

Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com