By Eric Thomas: World Boxing Organization bantamweight interim champion Eric Morel (42-2, 21 KO’s) has reportedly turned down the challenge of super flyweight Nonito Donaire (23-1, 15 KO’s) step in for the injured Jorge Arce, according to Philboxing.com. Apparently, the 27-year-old Donaire wants to avenge the defeat of his fellow Filipino countryman Gerry Penalosa, who was beaten by Morel in a 12 round split decision in February 2010.

It’s not that much of a risky fight for Donaire, because while Morel is a good fighter, there are a lot of arguably much better fighters than him in the bantamweight division, such as Fernando Montiel and Yonhy Perez, to name just a couple. I wouldn’t like Donaire’s chances one bit against either of those fighters, and I think he would have a really tough time beating Morel as well.

Donaire, a former IBF flyweight champion, moved up recently to the super flyweight division last year and looked terrible in beating Rafael Concepcion to win the WBA super flyweight interim title in August. Donaire had major problems with Concepcion, who moved down from the bantamweight division to take the fight. Donaire had problems with Concepcion’s size and strength in that fight and took a beating. He still won the fight but looked like he’d be better off moving back down in weight rather than messing with any more bantamweights.

In Donaire’s last fight, he stopped a small minimumweight Manuel Vargas by a 3rd round stoppage. Donaire looked good in beating Vargas. The only problem was Vargas had to move up three weight divisions to fight Donaire. In other words, he was much too small for Donaire and it’s incredible that he was selected for Donaire in the first place. Donaire would be better off either staying at super flyweight or moving back down to the flyweight division if he wants to ensure future success.

Last year, Donaire was being compared with Manny Pacquiao and there was talk of him moving up in weight division after division like Pacquiao did and collect titles. That notion dispelled after Donaire struggled badly with the bantamweight Concepcion. Donaire looked far too skinny and frail to be able to match the power and aggression of the stronger Concepcion. Donaire had to settle for boxing his way to a win but he still took a ton of punishment from Concepcion before the fight was over. There hasn’t been much talk of Donaire moving up in weight since then.