MANILA, Philippines ? Pretty soon, Nonito Donaire should find himself embroiled in a legal tussle with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum if the Filipino-American fighter insists Top Rank is guilty of contractual violations.
Donaire, the reigning World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion said during the PSA Forum Tuesday that his American lawyer is handling the matter.
Donaire could not answer if he is indeed under contract with Top Rank, stammering with his response and turning to his wife Rachel, who was seated beside him, to air their side on the issue.
Rachel also could not answer the question straight-on but was a bit more composed than her celebrated husband, who rose to the pound-for-pound ranks with a smashing second-round knockout of Fernando Montiel last month.
?The contract is for three years with three fights a year. The contract ends if the contract is fulfilled,? said Rachel, stressing that Top Rank failed to give her husband the three fights a year that was agreed upon by the two sides.
Donaire signed up with Top Rank in June 2008.
Arum expressed surprise over Donaire?s statements when contacted shortly after the weekly forum but nevertheless made the assurance that boxing?s current toast has simply been misinformed.
?They are saying that there?s been a breach in the contract but it is clear that the contract is in place. Once we present everything to them, they?ll see that a contract is in place,? said Arum from his Las Vegas home.
?I hope they?ll all come to their senses,? said the 79-year-old Arum.
Arum said Top Rank lawyers are going to respond to Donaire?s letter soon and he is looking forward to the continuation of the contract.
But if Donaire resists, Arum said he has no other choice ?but to go to litigation.?
