Donaire-Rigondeaux bout in jeopardy

MANILA, Philippines – The announced April 13 showdown between reigning WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. and Cuban challenger Guillermo Rigondeaux hit a snag.

Donaire, the four-division world champion, fired at Rigondeaux on Twitter over drug-testing issues Wednesday morning.

“I want you guys to hear it from me first, I am not going to NYC for the presser this Thursday [because] Rigo is backing off his agreement to VADA ( voluntary anti-doping association) drug testing,” Donaire posted on his Twitter account. “Rigo’s team verbally agreed to VADA testing both online and in negotiations but now that the contract to start testing is in front of them, they are finding every excuse not to sign and delay the start of the testing.”

The 30-year-old Donaire added that he has not signed his contract yet to fight the unbeaten Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

“I have no obligations to fight only him. It disappoints me that top fighters these days run from everything that will hold professional boxing integrity to its highest standard. I will be looking into other opponents with my manager, Cameron Dunkin immediately.”

Donaire went on saying that he never subjected his opponents to undergo VADA drug testing before the fight and it was actually Rigondeaux who “called me out and agreed to do VADA testing on his own.”
“It was also in negotiations. So why back out when you gave your word as a man?”