World Boxing Organization officials announced on Wednesday that the Nonito Donaire-Cesar Juarez fight has been elevated in stature as the two pugilists will now fight for the vacant junior featherweight title.

Filipino sensation Donaire (35-3, 23 KO's), the former titleholder, and Mexico City's Juarez (17-3, 13 KO's) will exchange blows against each other at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Friday night in a fight that was originally arranged to be for a regional belt.

Like Us on Facebook

According to an ESPN report, Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux, who defeated Donaire via a unanimous decision in April 2013 to unify two major world titles, was recently stripped of both of his 122-pound belts after failing to defend the title for a year.

Juarez and Donaire are the two highest-rated fighters in the WBO's rankings and were ordered by the organization to meet to fill the vacant world title.

The Filipino Flash was a former world champion in four weight divisions, but he was dethroned 14 months ago by unbeaten Jamaican Nicholas Walters in a sixth round stoppage, losing the World Boxing Association featherweight title in Los Angeles.

Since then, the 2012 BWAA Fighter of the Year rebounded, knocking out Brazilian William Prado in the second round last March in Manila and stopping Frenchman Anthony Settoul again in the second round in Macau last July.

In a Rappler article, despite the strong results, the Filipino Flash says he has no room for error to reclaim his status against ring rivals.

"I must win on Friday night. I am out of setbacks," Donaire said. "I feel like I'm 21 again. My speed has increased. I can feel my power is much stronger. My happiness is back. I had a great camp. But I know what must be done. I must win."

Juarez, in his first world title fight, is the higher-rated contender but will only be in his second fight outside Mexico. He recently won over countryman Juan Carlos Sanchez in July via a 12-round unanimous decision, his fourth consecutive win since losing to Mexico's Hugo Partida in 2013. 

TagsDonaire, The Filipino Flash, Boxing News, WBO, Juarez, Knockouts