Philippines, 24 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Despite tough KO loss to Inoue in Japan, superstar Nonito Donaire will fight Santiago for the WBC 118 world title


PhilBoxing.com




Regardless of being ravaged by electrifying Japanese "Monster" Naoya Inoue (25-0, 21 KO"s) in two rounds last June in Japan, the WBC has ordered super popular Bohol-born Nonito Donaire to dlash against world-ranked Mexican Alejandro Santiago (27-3-5, 14 KO's), for the vacant WBC Bantamweight World Title next.

It is not common at all that a boxer who gets bulldozed and jackhammered the way Nonito was in his last fight gets a direct shot at the world title. Not common indeed.

But in the case of Nonito Donaire, we are talking about a future Hall-of-Famer boxer, a multi-division world champion who for two decades has thrilled and excited boxing fans from around the world, bringing even more fans into the sport, while being a role model and a gentleman inside and outside of the boxing ring.

Who could forget Nonito's awesome stoppage win over Vic Darchinyan, and then his thunderous brilliance over Fernando Montiel, and how many more thrilling victories that have brought so much pride to his tons of fans in Pinoyland and around the globe?

Time and time again Nonito's skills and heart have been tested to the maximum limit in front of our very eyes, left and right, with KO's of the year awards, fights of the year awards, fighter of the year awards, and you name it.

Therefore, the WBC's decision to grant the remarkable Pinoy a direct shot at the vacant bantamweight world title is 100% sound, fair and reasonable.

In fact, even at 40, "The Filipino Flash" is still today a dangerous bantamweight capable of besting a number of younger boxers, as his class is intact.

Which brings us to the question in everybody's mind:

Will this much-appreciated veteran multi-division champion Donaire (42-7, 28 KO) have enough speed, reflexes and stamina to deal with the lesser-known, but tough 27 year-old Mexican from Tijuana?

Interestingly, Alejandro Santiago is known to Filipino fans after his hard-fought draw against then IBF superfly world champion Jerwin "Pretty Boy" Ancajas (33-3-2, 22 KO's) three years ago. Remember that one?

Then, later on, Santiago lost by points to Gary Russell; but his last rumble was a win over veteran Antonio "Carita" Nieves (20-4-2, 11 KO's) last October.

That being said, how will Alejandro Santiago do against the Filipino future Hall of Famer?

Importantly, whoever emerges VICTORIOUS in the Donaire vs Santiago clash, will be required to make his first title defense against the winner of the WBC Eliminator between Nawaphon Kaikanha (57-2-1, 47 KO's), of Thailand and Filipino former titlist Reymart Gaballo (25-1, 21 KO's).

Will Nonito Donaire be crowned champion of the world again?

The author Carlos Costa of Panama can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • When to stop a fight
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 23 Oct 2025
  • AJ MANAS STUNS WORLD CHAMPION AS HOME HEROES DOMINATE LAST 16
    , Thu, 23 Oct 2025
  • NBA Daily: Spurs Dominate Mavs 125-92 Behind Wembanyama’s 40 in Season Opener
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 23 Oct 2025
  • Herlan Gomez Faces Jason Moloney in Australia: A Battle of Youth vs Experience (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 23 Oct 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio shares the lead in Italy World Seniors Chess Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Oct 2025
  • Ronny Alvarez Shines with 5th Round TKO Victory Over Bruno Pola on DAZN
    , Thu, 23 Oct 2025
  • TICKETS ON SALE NOW AS FLORES FACES CORDINA IN STOCKTON SHOWDOWN
    , Thu, 23 Oct 2025
  • Teflon Promotions Presents: The Replay: The Volume 1 on Saturday November 22nd at  The 6th Man Center in Philadelphia
    , Thu, 23 Oct 2025
  • DAY TWO: CHUA CRASHES OUT AS MANAS MARCHES ON IN MANILA
    , Thu, 23 Oct 2025
  • Doncic equals Kobe's record in the Lakers' NBA season opener
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 23 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 21: THE RELATIONSHIP OF MUHAMMAD ALI AND JOE FRAZIER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025
  • Sumabong is new WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025
  • Happy Birthday Reymart Soledad!
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025
  • October 30: Mary Spencer-Mikaela Mayer Super Welterweight Title Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel
    , Wed, 22 Oct 2025
  • Pinoy chessers off to hot start in Italy World Senior Chess Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Finalists for the WBC Grand Prix are Set
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025
  • Traya to fight again in Thailand on Oct. 25
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025
  • Texas super middleweight Darius Fulghum Preparing to get back in the title hunt
    , Wed, 22 Oct 2025
  • Aaron Pryor honored on his 70th birthday anniversary
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025
  • DUONG SUFFERS SHOCK EXIT AS GORST OPENS STRONG IN MANILA
    , Tue, 21 Oct 2025
  • Marlon "Marvelous Captain" Manalo makes a comeback in the Philippine Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Oct 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 20 OCTOBER 2025: Danny Garcia KOs Daniel Gonzalez; Juarez Defeats Nery; Bormann Unifies Belt vs Kuroki
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Oct 2025
  • "Round of the Year" Candidate Unfolds in Explosive Clash Between Undefeated Prospect Sebastian Juarez and Veteran Demarcus Layton
    , Tue, 21 Oct 2025
  • IIEE PSME Quezon City Simba's Tribe wins 4 straight in PCAP Tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Oct 2025
  • GREEN TAM, RINGO LAM, HARPREET SINGH SCORE CRUSHING TKO WINS MONDAY IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.