Golden Boy Poached Top Rank Boxer Nonito Donaire,Ordered to Stop Promoting “The Filipino Flash”:
Yesterday, the Honorable Daniel Weinstein (ret.) enjoined Golden Boy Promotions from promoting Top Rank boxer Nonito Donaire for the duration of Top Rank’s exclusive promotional agreement with Donaire. Golden Boy wrongfully signed Donaire to a four-year promotional agreement in the face of Top Rank’s agreement with the up-and-coming star. The Arbitrator’s ruling paves the way for Top Rank to promote Donaire’s next bout and continued career, something the Las Vegas-based company had started arranging last month before Golden Boy signed Donaire.
Top Rank’s attorney, Daniel Petrocelli of O’Melveny & Myers LLP in Los Angeles stated, “We are pleased with Judge Weinstein’s carefully considered decision. Top Rank hopes it can put the lawyers and legal fight behind it and return to doing what it does best — promoting the most talented boxers and the most entertaining boxing matches in the world today.”
This follows the rapidfire succession of news regarding Nonito Donaire and his promotional future over the past few weeks. First, Golden Boy announced a long-term deal with Donaire. Then, Top Rank fired back immediately and said that their contract with the bantamweight sensation was still valid. Now the judge has made this ruling, but if we know anything about boxing, it’s likely that the story won’t end here either!
