Ball in Donaire's hands, says Arum

MANILA, Philippines - Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said yesterday he’s hoping for a quick resolution of Nonito Donaire’s case so the WBC/WBO bantamweight champion can move forward in his ring career that was stalled because of a surprise switch to rival promotions outfit Golden Boy.

Donaire inked a three-year contract with Top Rank on June 26, 2008. The agreement included a one-year extension clause. But last March, Donaire signed a four-year deal with Golden Boy, claiming he became a free agent when Top Rank allegedly committed a breach in their contract. The Filipino Flash said Top Rank failed to arrange at least three fights in a year – a condition in their agreement.

But Arum said Donaire was not allowed to fight because of medical reasons for an accumulated period of 300 days, preventing the execution of the contract. Arum said Donaire’s inactivity automatically extended their contract to 2013.

Under a previous agreement in the event of a dispute, Top Rank and Golden Boy went to an arbitrator to settle their latest row. Daniel Weinstein, a retired California superior court judge, was designated the arbitrator and eventually ruled that Donaire was still contractually bound to Top Rank. Donaire, however, said the ruling did not consider his charge of breach of contract and he would bring the case to court.

In a phone interview, Arum said he is in contact with Donaire’s manager Cameron Dunkin to iron out the disagreement. Arum was in Los Angeles when contacted by The STAR.

“We’re trying to sort this out right away for Nonito’s benefit,” said Arum. “We’ve gone to an arbitrator who confirmed that what he signed with Golden Boy wasn’t binding. We’re positive about finding a solution. We want to resolve this case as soon as possible.”

Arum said the timetable in settling the problem depends on Donaire.

“It’s really up to Nonito if he wants to get this over with,” said Arum. “If this drags, it won’t be to his benefit. Timing is crucial in a fighter’s career. The priority is to set a fight date. As Nonito’s promoter, we at Top Rank are ready to do what’s best to move his career forward.”

Arum said finding a credible opponent for Donaire won’t be difficult and named three fighters who could be suitable challengers – Anselmo Moreno of Panama, Jorge Arce of Mexico and Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba.

“I think Moreno would be the first option,” said Arum. “Nonito was supposed to fight him in May. But I can see many other good fights for Nonito. Arce would be a great fight. Another is Rigondeaux. It’s all up to Nonito.”

Moreno, 25, is the reigning WBA bantamweight champion with a 31-1-1 record, including 11 KOs. He is fresh from halting Lorenzo Parra in the eighth round to post the eighth defense of his crown. One of his victims was Filipino Rolly Lunas who was outpointed in 2006.

Arce, 31, is a grizzled veteran with a 57-6-2 record, including 44 KOs. Last May, he stopped the previously unbeaten Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. in the 12th round to wrest the WBO superbantamweight crown in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Sugar Shane Mosley mainer in Las Vegas. He has never lost to a Filipino, listing as his victims Juanito Rubillar twice, Joma Gamboa, Carmelo Caceres, Fernando Lumacad and Jovan Presbiterio.

Rigondeaux, 30, is a Cuban defector with an 8-0 record, including six KOs. Last March, he knocked out Willie Casey in the first round to retain his interim WBA superbantamweight title in Dublin.

Donaire, 28, was sensational in thrashing Mexico’s Fernando Montiel in two rounds to capture the WBC/WBO bantamweight diadem last February. His record is 26-1, with 18 KOs. Donaire was supposed to face Moreno in an HBO pay-per-view show in Atlantic City last May but the fight was scrapped when he signed with Golden Boy.

Repeated attempts to contact Donaire were unsuccessful. He has refused to return calls. When Pacquiao fought Mosley last May, Donaire was conspicuously absent. He was reportedly vacationing in Honolulu with his family. Donaire has avoided contact with media purportedly on advice of his lawyers pending the resolution of his case.

Donaire’s father-in-law Gerry Marcial, who is in San Francisco, said several sports reporters have tried to contact the fighter to no avail. “All of his contact numbers are on hold,” he said.

A source said Donaire was on the way from Las Vegas to San Mateo, near San Francisco, with his wife Rachel in a car yesterday. Donaire and his wife were married in a civil ceremony in Carmel, California, in August 2008. They are scheduled to be married in a Catholic ceremony in Alabang this November. With Donaire’s insistence to be unavailable to media, his popularity may be adversely affected.

Joaquin Henson, Philippine Star