MANILA, Philippines?It?s not an ordinary setback, the scrapping of world flyweight boxing champion Nonito Donaire?s title defense in Dubai, so authorities should make sure there would be no repeat of the bum deal.

They can?t treat a classy champ like Donaire, maybe the most competent we have today, like a small boy.

Donaire is a perfect gentleman warrior, somebody we should all protect and treasure.

OK, the champ did not protest, there was not a whimper after his scheduled defense in Dubai fell through.

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Truth is that Donaire suffered silently.

There was no reason to turn hysterical, unlike that failed amateur boxing leader who threw tantrums after being assessed of his incompetence.

But the champ?s father and trainer, Nonito Sr., could not conceal his displeasure.

He bared he regretted having dealt with the faltering Filipino group.

He said he should not have agreed to the Dubai deal in the first place.

Based on subsequent reports, the scheduled Dubai title defense did not push through after sheikhs, who were supposed to invest in the championship card, failed to put up their share.

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As expected, nobody owned up to the boo-boo.

The bout shouldn?t have been announced if everything was not yet in place.

Donaire shouldn?t have been made to report for training if they were still trying to tie up loose ends.

OK, they paid Donaire an initial sum but, as the champ?s father explained, this was never enough to see them through the tough regimen at the training camp in Las Vegas.

You can bet Donaire was already nearing peak form when the bout was officially scrapped.

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Whether they liked it or not, the misdeal landed like a foul blow on the youthful world champ.

Last heard of, there was no hint of when Donaire would finally fight.

He was terrific in his upset knockout title win over Vic Darchinyan, was tougher and classier in his first title defense.

Sorry, but fans will have to wait indefinitely for Donaire?s next outing.

Actually, Nonito Sr. said there were enough interested people offering to stage in Manila that bout which eventually got scrapped in Dubai.

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But take it from lawyer-sportsman Rudy Salud, a great fan of Nonito Jr.

Donaire has grown into a first-class boxing star that?s sure to be lionized by Filipino fans.

?Please put it there, Donaire is the right-handed Flash Elorde,? Salud said.

Salud said Donaire has the style, power, composure, craft and charm of the great Elorde, who reigned as world junior lightweight champ for seven years, starting with his conquest of Harold Gomes at the Araneta Coliseum in March 1960.

Salud did not say it but, if he were still at the Games and Amusements Board, he would make sure Donaire does not receive another foul blow from bluffers masquerading as boxing promoters.