Carlos Canizales' proposed WBC junior flyweight world title defence against Thammanoon Niyomtrong will not go ahead as planned next week in Bangkok, Thailand.

Niyomtrong (28-1, 11 KOs) will now face Argentina's Junior Leandro Zarate (26-5, 9 KOs) for a vacant world title on Dec. 4, as first reported by ESPN Knockout's Renato Bermudez.

A foreign air travel ban impacting thousands of passengers in his native Venezuela has meant The Ring's No. 1-rated operator Canizales is stranded at home, having originally planned to fly out on Thursday. It also effectively demotes the Caracas puncher through factors out of his control, seeing as this was originally a voluntary title defense.

The 32-year-old (28-3-1, 20 KOs) has been placed as champion in recess until again able to resume his international career, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed to The Ring.

The sanctioning body's official statement read:

"The WBC Board of Governors has thoroughly reviewed the situation surrounding the light fly division and with the current political complications directly impacting our champion's availability to leave the country, or even organize a world championship event.

"Carlos Canizales has been placed as champion in recess until the time he is able to resume his international career. Thammanoon Niyomtrong has been approved to fight WBC's No. 3-ranked Junior Zarate for the light flyweight championship."

The 11-year pro posted a video on his social media account, sincerely apologising to those looking forward to his return, while highlighting alternate travel plans would've seen him board five separate flights to reach Thailand before next Thursday's show.

He wouldn't have safely landed there until Sunday evening local time, at the earliest, while ignoring the 11-hour time difference between the two countries in addition to several long layovers he would've endured en route.

Niyomtrong, The Ring's No. 3-rated strawweight contender, won and made 11 defences of the WBA 105-pound title before being stopped in seven rounds by Ring and WBO beltholder Oscar Collazo last November 16.

Zarate has won two straight since dropping a 12-round split decision to South Africa's Mpumelelo Tshabalala in September 2024, recently outpointing Juan Coronel on August 16 - two weeks after Canizales' fifth-round finish of Panya Pradabsri in their rematch.