They waited, with fingers crossed, with hope springing if not eternally, then for a proper spell. But the writing is on the wall for the Donaires. “It looks like there’s no fight,” said Rachel Donaire of a Nonito v. Scott Quigg junior featherweight tangle.

“These guys, they say they want a big fight. Then it comes time to sign and they balk,” she said. Top Rank Promotions handles Nonito and Rachel said the TR crew hasn’t been able to get on the same page with Eddie Hearns’ Matchroom Boxing. So there will be a meeting with HBO next week, to find a date in the dwindling year.

Hope has basically left the building and in its place is now resignation.

Follow Woodsy on Twitter.