Donaire, Arum's Top Rank agree on 4-year deal

source: gmanews.tv

Nonito Donaire Jr. and veteran boxing promoter Bob Arum are back in each other's arms after the reigning unified bantamweight titlist, on Monday, agreed to sign a new four-year deal with Top Rank, Inc.

Cameron Dunkin, Donaire's manager referred to the new deal as 'very healthy.'

"Nonito's going to be around with Top Rank for a while," said Dunkin first reported by The Ring, the so-called 'Bible of Boxing.'

Cracks within Donaire and Arum's relationship began to show in March after the Filipino fighter decided to sign with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, Top Rank's rival promotional outfit.

Donaire, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion, said his old contract with TOp Rank was over after his second-round knockout win over Mexican Fernando Montiel in their bantamweight unification bout at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Arum, however, said the deal won't be over until February next year since Donaire has not fought for a period of six months owing to various injuries, thus extending the duration of their earlier agreement.

An independent arbitration eventually ruled in favor of Top Rank.

Donaire, who brokered the deal with his wife, Rachel, Top Rank president Todd duBoef, said he's satisfied with his new contract.

"I am very happy and pleased to announce a recent reconciliation between Top Rank, and myself, and I am also extremely excited to announce that I will be back in the ring this coming October," Donaire, 28, said in a released statement.

Top Rank, in a separate statement, said: "We are thrilled to move forward with Nonito, his team and capitalize on what we have built together. Nonito has unlimited ability and charisma which was on display in his last thrilling performance against Fernando Montiel. A bright future lies ahead for Nonito and Top Rank."

No specific opponent or date of the fight has been agreed upon, although Dunkin hopes to finalize all details by this week. "We haven't got a date yet for his next fight, but we're hoping to have a date within this week."

Donaire has a ring record of 26-1, with 18 knockouts. His second-round demolition of Montiel was his 25th straight career win and 10th KO in his last 12 outings.

source: gmanews.tv