Underdog Boxing: Donaire may lose his WBC title

WBC and WBO champion Nonito “the Filipino Flash" Donaire’s problems do not end with the tiff with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions. A month ago, Donaire, who was fresh off a career-defining win over Fernando Montiel, declared his existing contract with Top Rank as null and void and went on to sign another contract with Golden Boy Promotions. Donaire claimed that Top Rank Promotions did not keep its end of the deal which was to give the Filipino fighter three fights per year. In their defense, Top Rank Promotions claimed that they were unable to do so because of the medical suspensions that came about after some of Donaire’s fights. The court designated mediator ruled in favor of Top Rank and Donaire was left without any other choice but to head back to Arum’s stable. However, there is still no news of when Donaire will be fighting again and the WBC is growing weary with all the waiting. The WBC released the following statement: The World Boxing Council established communication twice with WBC Bantamweight world champion, Nonito Donaire, of The Philippines, by virtue of the fact that Donaire won his title by defeating Fernando “Cochulito" Montiel, of Mexico, on February 19th, 2011, and has not put his title on the line. From the previously mentioned date up to now, four months and 13 days have gone by; Donaire has held the title since then, but has not made any defense of it. Our rules and regulations obligate all champions to make a title defense every four months, as six months without doing so represent declaring the title vacant. Considering the aforementioned facts, Nonito Donaire is being notified in time that he must comply with his obligations as a champion, and so far, we have not received a reply from the Philippine fighter. Right now, it is still not clear when Donaire will fight and no one knows who he will be up against. Donaire rolled the dice when he decided to sign up with Golden Boy Promotions and now the consequences are starting to trickle in. Donaire has always said that he wants to be an undisputed champion and, as of the moment, he is already halfway there. The plan was for him to hold all the major titles before the year ends but this is very unlikely because of the time he spent idly. A lot has been going on in the bantamweight division as Donaire remained inactive. WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo Moreno has defended his title last month with an eighth-round knockout win over Lorenzo Parra and the much-awaited fight between Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares is finally pushing through next month. For Donaire, the best option if to defend the WBC and WBO titles as soon as possible then look for a unification fight against Moreno or the winner of Agbeko-Mares later in the year. Donaire worked very hard to win the WBC and WBO titles, it will be a tragedy to lose one without a fight. --OMG, GMA News