TOP Rank promoter Bob Arum said he is prepared to stage the twice-postponed title defense of Nonito Donaire against undefeated Raul Martinez in either the US or Mexico.

Arum spoke to www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports moments after his arrival from London and Manny Pacquiao?s successful promotional tour for his showdown against Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas on May 2.

The Donaire-Martinez title fight was scheduled as the main event on a double championship card that also features former world light flyweight champion Brian Viloria and reigning International Boxing Federation champion Ulises Solis of Mexico at the Araneta Coliseum on April 19.

But the inability to raise sponsorship money to cover the substantial expenses, which have been estimated at around $500,000 or about P25 million in the first quarter, forced Top Rank?s Filipino partners Solar Sports to postpone the fight from March 15 to the 22, and then to April 19.

Donaire?s manager Cameron Dunkin said the April date was a radical change and he was pulling Donaire out of the fight.

Following a conference call Wednesday at 3 a.m. with Dunkin and Top Rank?s Todd Duboff, the Donaires were requested to remain in Manila to see what Solar Sports ?brings to the table next.?

?Hopefully, we will know something tomorrow,? said Dunkin, who added he and Top Rank were talking about moving the title defense to the US or Mexico.

?I got a call that Donaire wanted to return to the US because they don?t think the fight is gonna happen. I?ve got to see what I can sort out tomorrow (Thursday in Manila).? Ronnie Nathanielsz