By Luis Sandoval

Two weeks ago I spoke to Bob Arum regarding a possible Abner Mares vs. Nonito Donaire showdown that would require both Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank to have to work together to make the fight happen. Arum revealed he had no interest in doing any regular co-promotion with Golden Boy and would instead be willing to offer them a sum of money for the services of Mares.

A couple days later, Rick Reeno spoke to Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer who heard Arum’s comments. Schaefer extended a proposal to Top Rank where they would step aside and let Top Rank handle the promotion for Mares-Donaire only if Top Rank would be willing to step aside and let Golden Boy promote a Lucas Matthysse-Brandon Rios fight.

BoxingScene spoke with Bob Arum and relayed Schaefer’s proposal which Arum shot down and appeared not to be willing to even entertain the thought.

“It's not major league baseball. We don't trade fighters! You trade baseball players, you don't trade fighters. This guy knows nothing about the sport of boxing” Arum would tell BoxingScene.

As I tried to ask a follow up question, Vice President of Boxing Operations for Top Rank Carl Moretti intervened and asked that I stop asking Golden Boy related questions.

From the looks of it, there has been absolutely no progress in Golden Boy and Top Rank finding a middle ground to be able to work together again.

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @truewest007. You can also tune in to Boxingscene’s official audio show The Boxing Lab every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.