Nonito Donaire looks on during a Q&A session with the media. (AP)
Nonito Donaire Jr., breaking his silence, dared Golden Boy Promotions to pay him and Top Rank $3 million to fight Mexican hotshot Abner Mares and send a legally binding proposal to his manager Cameron Dunkin.
In a move seen by ring fans and members of the sports media as “calling the bluff,” Donaire fired a series of tweets asking GBP CEO Richard Schaefer to prove his sincerity even as the 30-year-old fighter claimed Dunkin has yet to see an official offer from them.
“(Top Rank chair Bob) Arum ain’t even in country, so send Dunkin the signed proposal. Otherwise this is all just twitter BS,” said Donaire (31-1-0 with 20 knockouts) over the social networking site where he has amassed 79,000 followers.
His tweets set off a deluge of reactions from his followers. GBP has yet to issue a reaction.
“We all know fights aren’t done on Twitter but on a legally binding proposal,” Donaire said, in direct reference to Schaefer’s offer which was in reaction to Arum’s earlier statement asking his rival promoter to give him an amount so he can pay for the right to stage the expected superfight.
Donaire, the WBO 122-pound champ, fights for Top Rank and HBO, while Mares, holder of the WBC belt, is under contract with GBP and Showtime.
Within a few hours, Mares responded on his own Twitter account saying: “Believe me you will be receiving it soon. And I just hope that when you do, you sign it!!!”
Donaire retorted that until Dunkin gets a formal offer, “I’m not wasting time on this because right now it’s just a myth.” He later posted: “But hey, props if a legal proposal materializes tomorrow.”
Donaire, who swept 2012 Fighter of the Year awards on the strength of his four-of-four record last year—including KO wins over toughies Toshiaki Nishoka of Japan and Jorge Arce of Mexico—said he checked with Dunkin if he has received a formal offer.
“You want it, then send it,” added Donaire in another tweet, taunting GBP over its offer that could very well shoot up his pay grade. He reportedly got $1 million in his last fight, against Arce.
He added that since Mares’ manager Frank Espinoza is dealing with Top Rank on behalf of GBP, then Dunkin could do the same and receive the offer.