Donaire back with Top Rank, for now

Published Apr. 1, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Arbitrating judge, Daniel Weinstein, ruled on Monday that Nonito Donaire’s defection from Top Rank to Golden Boy was null and void based upon a pre-existing agreement between both promotional companies to avoid poaching one another’s talent. The accord was reached back in the legal battle of 2007 after Golden Boy attempted to lure Manny Pacquiao from Top Rank.

Donaire still has a separate lawsuit pending in Las Vegas, looking for a dissolution of his current promotional deal based on an alleged breach of contract. Donaire and his attorney claim that Top Rank failed to live up to their end of the contract, which promised at least three fights per year under the deal.

Bob Arum of Top Rank argues that his company’s failure to deliver on the promised number of fights stems from Donaire’s own injuries and subsequent medical suspensions in the first two years of the contract.

If Donaire is successful with his case in the Nevada State Court of Las Vegas, he would be a promotional free agent and allowed to re-explore his deal with Golden Boy.