| |
|
Donaire back in Cebu
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 23 Jan 2026
Former four-division world champion and WBA No. 1 bantamweight Nonito Donaire, Jr. is back in Cebu training at Omega Boxing Gym’s Camp Kumbati while awaiting confirmation of his next fight. There’s nothing definite on the table but with Donaire setting up camp in Cebu, the speculation is an offer may come soon to fight in Japan. The Filipino Flash arrived in Cebu from Las Vegas early this week.
Donaire, 43, was in Tokyo a month ago to face WBA bantamweight titlist Seiya Tsutsumi and lost on a disputed split 12-round decision. Tsutsumi landed in the hospital where he underwent a four-hour surgery to repair a broken nose and sew up cuts on his face. WBA officials apparently reviewed the fight video and kept Donaire as the No. 1 contender.
It may take several months before Tsutsumi is able to fight again, if at all. Texas-born 2016 Olympian Antonio Vargas is the interim WBA bantamweight champion so while Tsutsumi is in recovery, Donaire may be tapped to face him. Vargas’ most recent outing was in Yokohama last July when he fought Daigo Higa to a draw. A duel between Vargas and Donaire in Japan isn’t a remote possibility.
There are five Japanese bantamweights in WBA’s top 10 so pitting any of them against Donaire in Japan is an option. The five are No. 2 Higa, No. 3 Yoshiki Takei, No. 4 Riku Masuda, No. 6 Kazuto Ioka and No. 10 Ryosuke Nishida. WBC bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue will meet Ioka in a title defense in Tokyo on May 2 so that rules out the challenger as an opponent for Donaire. Higa, a former WBC flyweight champion, is a suitable candidate considering his last two fights ended in a draw with Vargas and Tsutsumi. Whoever steps up to the plate, Donaire will be locked and loaded to give it his all.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Champion Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of March 14 Fight
, Thu, 05 Mar 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Youth High Performance Team Announced
, Thu, 05 Mar 20262026 USA Boxing Women’s Youth High Performance Team Announced
, Thu, 05 Mar 2026Michael Linde rules Pangasinan chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Mar 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 MARCH 2026: Navarrete Stops Nunez; Parra Jnr Outpoints Pierce; Wins by Emiliano Vargas and Abel Ramos
By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Mar 2026Team Philippines Crowned Champions of the 2026 Predator WPA Teams World Championship
, Wed, 04 Mar 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev calls for radical reform of the Olympic Movement and equal rights for athletes
, Wed, 04 Mar 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
