| |
|
Donaire in historic bid
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 06 Nov 2025
It’s back to familiar territory for WBA interim bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. as he arrived in Cebu last Sunday to open training camp for his 12-round duel with WBA titleholder “in recess” Seiya Tsutsumi in Tokyo on Dec. 17. If Donaire wins, he’ll become the third oldest to win a world crown after Bernard Hopkins at 49 and George Foreman at 45. Donaire will be 43 when he takes on Tsutsumi.
Tsutsumi won the WBA belt in October last year and barely retained it on a draw with Daigo Higa, surviving a knockdown, last February. Antonio Vargas took the WBA interim belt on a TKO over Winston Guerrero last December and would’ve challenged Tsutsumi but the Japanese backed out to recover from the Higa bout. Vargas was then elevated to the throne while Tsutsumi was named champion “in recess.” That cleared the way for Donaire to win the interim title on a technical decision over Andres Campos in Buenos Aires last June.
To clear up the mess, WBA ordered Vargas to face Tsutsumi but the 2016 Olympian from Houston withdrew to grieve over his mother’s death. It opened the door for Donaire and Tsutsumi to face off for the title “in recess” with the winner to engage Vargas.
Tsutsumi, 29, has a 12-0-3 record, with eight KOs and in 2023, decisioned Kazuki Anaguchi who died of a brain clot six weeks later. The only Filipino he has fought was Jhong Jhong Ponteras whom he stopped in one round in 2022. Donaire, who is based in Las Vegas, has the advantage in experience with a 43-8 slate, including 28 KOs, and nine world titles in four divisions. He's the only fighter who dared to battle Naoya Inoue twice. It will be his third appearance in Japan. Donaire has previously trained in Cebu from where he will travel to Tokyo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Signed, Sealed… but Still Unsettled: Unanswered Questions Hang Over Fury-Joshua Ahead of Expected Ink
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 29 Jul 2026VETERAN SAVVY VS UNDEFEATED POWER: MUGICHA NAKAGAWA VS LEMUEL DE BARBO AUGUST 1 IN LA TRINIDAD
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 29 Jul 2026SKYE NICOLSON TO DEFEND WORLD TITLE AGAINST MIYO YOSHIDA ON AUG 29 IN BIRMINGHAM AS MATCHROOM AND MVP ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE
, Wed, 29 Jul 2026Tickets for Martinez vs. Plantic in Los Angles, Saturday, August 29
, Wed, 29 Jul 2026Grandy Twins Celebrate Milestone 18th Birthday, Set to Shine at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" on August 14
, Tue, 28 Jul 2026Sergeev and Lubkovich set for key bouts at WINLINE. IBA.PRO 20 in Naberezhnye Chelny
, Tue, 28 Jul 2026Hard-hitting SEA Games bronze medalist Mark Ashley Fajardo signs with Sanman Boxing
, Tue, 28 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 JULY 2026: Tszyu vs Spence, Return of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Highlight Busy Week
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026The Legacy Continues: Team Durán Prepares for Historic Panama-Mexico Showdown
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026NM Ric Portugalera Tops Hongkong Blitz Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026Nurghali gets second shot at Japparbergenov’s bantamweight title at International Boxing Day in Astana
, Tue, 28 Jul 2026Champion's Mindset: Gustavo Trujillo Ready to Defend BKB Heavyweight Title Against Mark O'Neil at BKB 58
, Tue, 28 Jul 2026Spanish boxer Eddine has been Hospitalized in Spain
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026PH football in group C, G
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM MONDAY ROUNDUP: Tszyu Outclasses Spence in Sydney as "The Truth" Retires; Heavyweight Drama in Pattaya and Jeddah
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026'The Fight Is Signed': Hearn Declares Joshua vs. Fury Secured as Mind Games Begin with 'Landlord' Spoof
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026Chezka Centeno wins 3rd world title by ruling the Oneida WPA Women's World 8-Ball Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026CARE conducts 6.5mile open water in Davao Gulf
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026Mise, Arellano rule Davao-Japan golfest
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026Berlanga, Hitchins Win in Zuffa Boxing New York Event
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026World champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay to headline International Boxing Day in Astana
, Mon, 27 Jul 2026Cyrud "The Ferocious" Cabautan Defeats Michael "D' Power Fist" Diaz in Olympus Rising by TWC Amateur MMA Fight
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026USA Boxing Earns Four Wins at 2026 Capri Boxing Cup
, Mon, 27 Jul 2026Tim Tszyu Dominates Spence in Wide UD Win as 'The Truth' Formally Retires
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 26 Jul 2026Joshua Survives Early Knockdowns to Stop Prenga, Clearing Path for Fury Mega-Fight
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sun, 26 Jul 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
