Schaefer Has a Proposal To Arum on Donaire-Mares, Rios

By Rick Reeno

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer has made a proposal to Bob Arum, the CEO of Top Rank. Golden Boy is interested in matching WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares against WBO king Nonito Donaire, who Top Rank promotes. Arum is open to doing the fight, but only if Top Rank handles the entire promotion.

Arum recently told BoxingScene's Luis Sandoval that Top Rank has no interest in doing a straight co-promotion with Golden Boy. They are willing, however, to pay Golden Boy a fee for the services of Mares.

“We have no interest in working with Golden Boy. However we will offer them a sum of money for the services of Mares, put them up as a co-promoter but we have no interest doing a regular co-promotion with them,” revealed Arum to BoxingScene.

Schaefer has no issue with Arum's position. But, Golden Boy is only willing to step aside on Donaire-Mares if Top Rank is willing to step aside on a junior welterweight fight between Brandon Rios and Lucas Matthysse. Schaefer is open to negotiating a fair fee for the services of Rios.

"I saw the interviews and the comments from Top Rank. I have no problems with it. Top Rank can do Mares vs. Doniare and we'll do Mathysse vs. Rios. Bob just needs to tell us how much he needs for Rios....fair is fair. We can agree on both fights at the same time.....no options, no rematches," Schaefer told BoxingScene.com. 

The two promotional rivals are probably not going to be any closer to making either match. Top Rank is positioning Rios to fight Manny Pacquiao on April 21. If for whatever reason that fight doesn't come off, then Top Rank already has a backup plan with a Rios vs. Mike Alvarado rematch.

In the case of Donaire, there is a growing demand for a fight with Mares. Donaire, should he beat heavy underdog Jorge Arce on December 15, will need another lucrative opponent for 2013. Although talented, Guillermo Rigondeaux's inability to sell tickets makes him "high risk, low reward" proposition. Donaire-Mares is the natural fight that should be made.

There is some discussion about Donaire heading to 126 next year, and whether or not Mares is willing to meet him there is unknown. Mares has no shortage of immediate possibilities, with Leo Santa Cruz, Fernando Montiel and Victor Terrazas chasing him for a shot.