Donaire vs. Lopez Was Never On, Says Lewkowicz

By Rick Reeno

According to international matchmaker, Sampson Lewkowicz, the rumored match between Nonito Donaire and Jose Lopez was never on. Lopez is scheduled, and has always been scheduled, to face Pramuansak Posuwan of Thailand on February 7 in Puerto Rico. Lopez and Posuwan are the highest ranked super flyweights under the WBO. Champion Fernando Montiel is expected to vacate his title due his inability to make the weight.

Top Rank's Bob Arum had recently made comments that Lopez would cancel the fight with Posuwan and challenge Donaire on March 15 in Manila. Everyone involved with the Lopez-Posuwan promotion have denied Arum's story. Puerto Rico Best Boxing, who have Lopez, informed the WBO that everything is on schedule for the fight with Posuwan.

"The fight with Donaire and Lopez was never in jeopardy because it was never on. The person who spoke with Bob Arum misunderstood. Lopez and Posuwan were always going to fight. The only thing said was that after February 7, the winner might give the opportunity to Donaire, but the fight between Lopez and Posuwan was always going forward," Lewkowicz told BoxingScene.com.