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Donaire vs Rigondeaux: Fight hits another snag over drug testing

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Scott Halleran

The scheduled April 13 fight between Nonito Donaire and Guillermo Rigondeaux may once again be off, as Donaire says Rigondeaux is balking at signing an agreement for VADA testing.

Nonito Donaire took to Twitter today to say he won't be attending Thursday's press conference in New York that was meant to announce his April 13 fight at Radio City Music Hall against Guillermo Rigondeaux, saying that Rigondeaux is hesitant to sign for the VADA drug testing the parties agreed to in negotiations.

Here's what Donaire tweeted:

"I am NOT going to NYC for the presser this Thursday bc Rigo is backing off his agreement to VADA drug testing. Rigo's team verbally agreed to VADA testing both online and in negotiations. But now that the contract to start testing is infront of them, they are finding every excuse not to sign and delay the start of the testing. I have NOT signed my fight contract yet to fight him so I have no obligation to fight ONLY HIM. It disappoints me that top fighters these days run from everything that will hold professional boxing integrity to its highest standard. I will be looking into other opponents with my manager, Cameron Dunkin immediately."

Donaire is currently the only pro fighter in the world undertaking voluntary 24/7 drug testing through VADA, and this is the first time he's demanded that his opponent do the same. The fight was supposedly a done deal, and VADA was known to be part of that deal. If Rigondeaux is really balking at this point, it's going to create skeptics.

The negotiations for this fight have been troublesome because Rigondeaux's side has repeatedly dragged their feet. A year ago, Donaire didn't seem to want this fight. But that's not the problem anymore. With how this has all gone down, if anyone's avoiding the fight, it looks like it's Rigondeaux and his team.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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