By Ronnie Nathanielsz

WORLD flyweight champion Nonito Donaire’s original plan of moving up in weight to fight Puerto Rico’s Jose “Carita” Lopez (38-7-2, 32 KOs) for the World Boxing Organization super flyweight title vacated by reigning champion Fernando Montiel, who can’t make the weight, has been scrapped.

That’s because Lopez had signed to fight no. 1 contender Pramuansak Posuwan of Thailand in a promotion by PR Best Boxing Promotions, headed by Ivan Rivera. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum couldn’t have the fight canceled and have Lopez fight Donaire at the Araneta Coliseum on March 15 for the vacant title.

Arum, in an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, said: “You are absolutely right. Lopez is off the card and Donaire [16-1, 13 KOs] will defend his flyweight title, delay going up to 115 and fight Eric Ortiz of Mexico.”

Arum said he made that match that day and that Montiel would fight WBO mandatory challenger Erik Morel, who was scheduled to face WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa, who in turn is moving up to fight WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Marquez on April 4 in New York.

Arum said Solar Sports chief executive Peter Chanliong, with whom Arum will partner in the world championship doubleheader, said there was no value in having the Montiel-Morel title fight on the same card and bloat their costs.

As a result, Arum said he will do that fight one week later in Cancun.

Former World Boxing Council light flyweight champion Brian Viloria will clash with IBF champion Ulises Solis in the second championship bout on the big fight card at the Araneta Coliseum.