By Ronnie Nathanielsz

 

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says he is prepared to stage the twice-postponed title defense of Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire against undefeated Raul "Cobra" Martinez in either the US or Mexico.

 

Arum spoke to BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports moments after his arrival from London and Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s incredibly successful promotional tour for his showdown against Ricky "Hitman" Hatton in Las Vegas on May 2.

 

The Donaire-Martinez title fight was scheduled as the main event on a double championship card that also features former world light flyweight champion Brian Viloria and reigning IBF champion Ulises Solis of Mexico at the famed Araneta Coliseum on April 19.

 

However, the inability to raise sponsorship money to cover the substantial expenses which have been estimated at around $500,000 or about P25 million in the first quarter forced Top Rank’s Filipino partners Solar Sports to postpone the fight from March 15 to the 22nd and then to April 19 which Donaire’s manager Cameron Dunkin told us was a radical change and he was pulling Donaire out of the fight.

 

Following a conference call Wednesday at 3:00 a.m. with Dunkin and Top Rank’s Todd Duboff, the Donaire’s were requested to remain in Manila to see what Solar Sports " brings to the table next." In an overseas conversation with us, Dunkin said "hopefully we will know something tomorrow" even as he revealed he and Top Rank were talking about moving the title defense to the US or Mexico.

 

Arum told us "I got a call that Donaire wanted to return to the US because they don’t think the fight is gonna happen. I’ve got to see what I can sort out tomorrow (Thursday in Manila). "

 

Arum said he understands that most if not all of the available sponsorship money is going into the Pacquiao-Hatton fight but that he would wait till he talks to Solar Sports CEO Peter Chanliong before making a final decision.

 

Arum said "I can’t force Solar to do this without advertising revenue. These are tough times. But I have no problem doing the show either in the United States or Mexico" even as he ruled out Dunkin and Donaire’s hopes that it could be included in the Julio Cesar Chavez card in Tijuana, Mexico on March 28 saying,  "that card is filled."

 

Arum added that if the April 19 fight card doesn’t push through Donaire will "come home and get the thing on in April. That’s the best we can do."

 

Given the uncertainty of the fight taking place his wife Rachel who handles his communications as well as scheduled said Donaire had decided "to take the week off and de-wind."