| |
|
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:
Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 20 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 20 Dec 2025ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
