Donaire loses May 28 fight date, Arum tells newspaper

Promoter Bob Arum says Nonito Donaire has missed his deadline to discuss a fight scheduled for May 28 in Atlantic City, N.J., so the show has been canceled, according to the Manila Bulletin.

"That date is now officially dead," Arum told the newspaper, explaining that he gave the bantamweight titleholder until the end of the past week to contact him and put the wheels in motion.

Donaireattempted to leave Arum's company, Top Rank Inc., in March, signing a new contract with rival Golden Boy Promotions. But retired judge Daniel Weinstein ruled in arbitration that Arum's contact with the fighter is still in effect.

Harsh words were exchanged during the estrangement, including comments by Arum that Donaire's wife, Rachel, is "all tarted up." The relationship between the fighter and the promoter apparently remains strained, but Arum has vowed to perform his promotional duties with enthusiasm.

"We are professionals, and I can assure him I will give my 100 percent in promoting him again," Arum told the Bulletin. "Hopefully they'll come to their senses and finish the contract with us. I will promote him for the rest of his contract really hard, really well. When the contract is over, he is free to go anyplace he wants."

Arum said Donaire still has commitments to fulfill with Top Rank.

"He has to come back," the promoter said. "He has a lot of big fights coming under Top Rank. The longer this thing plays out, the further away his next fight will be."

Arum said Donaire signed a three-contract (with a one-year option) with Top Rank in late June 2008. The contract included a provision that extended the terms if Donaire was suspended, he said.

Arum said Donaire has had several medical suspensions during the past three years that have lengthened the contract.

Dennis Tayloris editor/publisher of www.ringsideboxingshow.com and co-host of The Ringside Boxing Show.