By Ronnie Nathanielsz

The opponent of IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire for his title defense at the Araneta Coliseum on March 15 has been changed once again. There is also the possibility that the date would be pushed back by a week according to both Donaire and Solar Sports CEO Peter Chanliong.   

The blockbuster double world championship fight card which will also feature the IBF light flyweight title clash between former WBC light flyweight champion Brian Viloria and reigning champion Ulises Solis is being promoted by Top Rank's Bob Arum in partnership with Solar Sports.  

Donaire was originally scheduled to move up to super flyweight and battle Jose “Carita” Lopez for the vacant title after WBO champion Fernando Montiel said he couldn’t make the weight and was moving up. Arum then informed us that since Lopez had a pending fight, Donaire would take on former world light flyweight champion Eric Ortiz.

But Donaire was unhappy and didn’t want the Ortiz fight since he said he had lost his title by a first round KO to Brian Viloria and lost by an eight round stoppage in a title eliminator against Z “The Dream” Gorres.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum informed insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports on Tuesday that Donaire’s new opponent is Raul "Cobra" Martinez “who has accepted the fight and is coming down from 115 to 112 to challenge Donaire.”

The 27 year old Martinez of San Antonio, Texas. is undefeated with a record of 24-0 including 14 knockouts. In his last appearance on November 14, Martinez scored a knockout over Victor Proa (26-0, 19 KO’s) at 1:08 of the first round to retain his International Boxing Association super flyweight title.

Reporting on the fight respected boxing writer Jake Donovan said the battle of unbeaten super flyweights “ turned into a slaughter as Martinez needed just 68 seconds to snatch the “O” from poised Mexican banger Proa.” 

Martinez won the IBA title by defeating tough former WBO flyweight champion Isidro Garcia in a twelve round unanimous decision on July 25, 2008.

He earlier won the IBA bantamweight crown with a ten round unanimous decision over Benjamin Garcia on February 29.

Martinez stands 5’4” and has an orthodox stance. He is considered a fighter who combines both speed and power.

Donaire’s record is 20-1 with 13 knockouts  and in his last fight the stylish Filipino scored a sixth round TKO to retain his title over game South African challenger Moruti Mthalane.

Donaire is training in the Philippines summer capital of Baguio City (5,100 feet) alongside WBO bantamweight champion, former two-division world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa and Jonathan Penalosa. His sparring partners include undefeated Rodolfo Sumabong, promising Drian Francisco and the latest arrival at the training camp Marvin Tampus.

The stylish Donaire who won the title with a spectacular 5th round KO of Vic Darchinyan who now reigns as WBC/WBA and IBF super flyweight champion on July 7, 2007 told us he knows Martinez from his amateur days and said “he is a pretty good fighter and is a prospect who has speed and power.” A t the same time Donaire said “I’d rather fight this guy than Ortiz.”