Boxing Promotional Contract Jumping For Dummies:
Q. Why did the Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire, just promised in this column by Bob Arum Tuesday night a $500,000 purse for a May 28 bout and a million dollar purse “within six months,” jump to Golden Boy as announced Wednesday?
A. Mo as mo money, and mo money paid sooner, including a huge signing bonus which I heard was for about $1 million.
Besides the money, which is primary, I’m sure that being the Number 2 Favorite Son of Top Rank behind Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao was not too appealing, either. Mo money and big ego, that’s why Donaire departed the TR Plantation for the Golden Boy Work Farm.
Q. Arum will sue Donaire and Golden Boy so what if Arum and his legal beagles prevail? Won’t Donaire get stuck for huge legal fees and expenses?
A. No, but if Top Rank emerges victorious through litigation, Oscar De La Hoya’s company may get soaked for legal bills from the other side. You can be sure that Donaire got an indemnification clause, which is a protective “umbrella” which will hold the fighter harmless from the result of the soon coming TR lawsuit. Usually, the “hold harmless” clauses protect a party from “any and all liability, cost and expense, including reasonable attorney’s fees…” Of course there can be battles royale over what “reasonable” means.
Q. What happens when a court possibly stops Donaire from fighting?
A. That will never happen although it’s possible some of his earnings could be tied up, at least temporarily. Again, I think the Goldens would ride to Nonito’s rescue.
Q. Will Judge Lance Ito from the OJ Trial or Judge Roy Bean or Judy Judy or some other judge ever preside over Boxing’s Trial of the Century, will we see lawyer Arum, Richie Rich Schaefer, Oskie and the Donaires on a witness stand getting grilled in front of a jury?
A. No way, Don Jose, promoting fights is like making sausages. The end result might be flavorful but, trust me, you don’t want to see the sausage being made. Promoters would not want their trade secrets, business m.o. and any possible dirty laundry aired in an open courtroom, that’s why the Pacquiao case went to a revenue sharing solution rather than to a trial matter.
Q. Coukd TR wind up splitting Donaire promo money with GBP as they do already on Pacman bouts?
A. Absolutely as pointed out (ironically) by Dr. Greg Penilla from St. Louis.
Q. When was it all but certain that Donaire was exiting Arum’s outfit, stage left?
A. When the name of Judd Burstein, the GBP attorney and thorn in Arum’s side, surfaced. That was pretty much game, set, match.
Q. Will Top Rank lash back at the Goldens?
A. The only question is when. Looks like no peace in our time as long as Uncle Bob and Cousin Oscar put their economic muscle into poaching the other guy’s fighters.
Q. Do you think Bosslady Rachel Donaire called any shots here?
A. She’s no shrinking violet so what do you think? You don’t have to be a martial genius to figure that one out.
Q. Who might Arum next target?
A. Maybe Top Rank wants to go on a Carrot Top diet. I’m just surmising but maybe they will look for an opening to land rising Mexican star and Conan O’Brien looking flamehead, Saul Canelo Alvarez. Bringing Floyd Mayweather Jr. back to the fold woild be a dream move for Arum but that won’t happen.
Q. What will put an end to his boxing version of the Old West rnage wars where the ranchers and the farmers squared off?
A. I don’t know. A merger maybe? Todd duBoef might lend an ear to such a proposal but Stepdad Robert never will. Arum would be more amenable to linking up with Don King Productions even though their fistic cupboard is bare.
