By Ryan Burton
BoxingScene caught up with WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito "Filipino Flash" Donaire (26-1) at The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV this past Friday night at the ESPN Friday Night Fights show.
The Filipino Flash wasn't at the fight to sign autographs and take in the action as is usually the case when boxers make appearances at fight cards in which they aren't fighting. Donaire was a credentialed member of the media taking photographs ringside. It is a hobby he has had for many years.
Donaire said that he wanted to apologize to his fans for his hiatus from boxing. He was set to fight on May 28th but those plans went out the window when he signed a promotional contract with Golden Boy. The contract was later ruled invalid during a legal proceeding in Los Angeles. The boxer is currently trying to verify validity of his promotional contract with Top Rank.
"I don't know how long all of this will take but I am confident I will fight again this year. I want to apologize to all the fans that I have been out of the ring but I should be back soon," Donaire told BoxingScene.com
Donaire defeated former bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko in December and then climbed to #3 on The Ring's pound for pound list with his sensational 2nd round knockout of Fernando Montiel in February. After such a busy schedule Donaire said he was ready for a little break from the sport. Donaire said while doesn't really know when he will return to the ring he is almost certain he will fight again this year.
"I just had two fights back to back so I am taking a little vacation. I leave for Hawaii tomorrow. I told my manager that all the have to do is tell me when they have a fight and I will start training."
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