MANILA, Philippines – Unless Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux agrees to submit himself to drug testing with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency Association (VADA), there will be no fight between him and Nonito Donaire Jr., the Filipino-American boxer threatened.
In a series of posts in his official Twitter account, Donaire said he will be skipping Thursday’s official press conference to announce his super bantamweight unification fight with Rigondeaux unless the latter signs a contract to undergo drug testing.
I am NOT going to NYC for the presser this Thursday bc Rigo is backing off his agreement to VADA drug testing.
— Nonito Donaire Jr. (@filipinoflash) February 19, 2013
Rigo's team verbally agreed to VADA testing both online and in negotiations.But now that the contract to start testing is infront of them,
— Nonito Donaire Jr. (@filipinoflash) February 19, 2013
they are finding every excuse not to sign and delay the start of the testing.I have NOT signed my fight contract yet to fight him so
— Nonito Donaire Jr. (@filipinoflash) February 19, 2013
I have no obligation to fight ONLY HIM.
— Nonito Donaire Jr. (@filipinoflash) February 19, 2013
It disappoints me that top fighters these days run from everything that will hold professional boxing integrity to its highest standard.
— Nonito Donaire Jr. (@filipinoflash) February 19, 2013
I will be looking into other opponents with my manager, Cameron Dunkin immediately.
— Nonito Donaire Jr. (@filipinoflash) February 19, 2013
But according to a report by ringtv.com, Gary Hyde, Rigondeaux’s manager, claimed his client is willing to take the VADA tests, which are separate from the traditional post-fight urine tests conducted by the state athletic commission.
The development was then relayed to Donaire by his manager Cameron Dunkin.
Soooo, Dunkin told me that Rigo will sign the VADA contract before the press conference and if he doesn't then the presser won't go forward.
— Nonito Donaire Jr. (@filipinoflash) February 20, 2013
Ill take the plane to New York and take my chances.Night people!
— Nonito Donaire Jr. (@filipinoflash) February 20, 2013
Donaire, who holds the WBO super bantamweight title, is scheduled to face WBA champion Rigondeux on April 13 at the Radio Music Hall in New York.