| |
|
Donaire awaits WBA decision
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 10 Nov 2025
The WBA may elevate the fight between interim bantamweight titleholder Nonito Donaire, Jr. and champion in-recess Seiya Tsutsumi at the Kokugikan Arena, Tokyo, on Dec. 17 to a battle for the “super” 118-pound throne. The winner of the Donaire-Tsutsumi bout will be WBA “regular” beltholder Antonio Vargas’ next opponent.
“It’s possible the WBA will make it a ‘super’ championship fight,” said Donaire’s father-in-law and security chief Gerry Marcial in a call from Las Vegas. “This will be Nonito’s third fight in Japan after two bouts against (Naoya) Inoue. In the first Inoue fight, a ringside seat went for $500 and in the second, $1,500. Nonito has a big following in Japan and will go all out to give the fans a treat.”
Donaire, wife Rachel and their two sons arrived in Cebu from Las Vegas to open training camp a week ago. It’s his second camp in Cebu after the Alejandro Santiago fight in 2023. He’s training with Doc J Junco at the Omega Gym. Donaire plans to leave for Tokyo two weeks before the fight.
“Tsutsumi is a volume puncher and Nonito will know how to deal with him,” said Marcial. “I expect Tsutsumi to go down like (Fernando) Montiel. He’s not as experienced as Nonito and his style is like Andres Campos whom Nonito beat on a technical decision for the interim belt last June. Campos kept coming in with his head and caused the cut from a butt that stopped the fight. Nonito would’ve knocked him out if it went on.”
Donaire will celebrate his 43rd birthday in Cebu on Nov. 16 and Marcial said age won’t be a disadvantage against the 29-year-old Tsutsumi whose record is 12-0-3, with eight KOs, compared to the Filipino Flash’s 43-8, with 28 KOs. “Walang tigil ang training,” said Marcial. “He’s older now but he’s still in top shape and the power is intact. He’s bigger than Tsutsumi and that will be an advantage.” Donaire stands 5-7 with a 68 1/2 reach while Tsutsumi is 5-5 1/2 with a 64 1/2 wingspan.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 202614-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland
, Wed, 25 Mar 2026MMA legend Jon Jones joins IBA Bare Knuckle as global ambassador
, Wed, 25 Mar 2026GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NEW EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION WITH DAZN
, Wed, 25 Mar 2026“The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 25 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Shine with Statement Victories in Orlando
, Tue, 24 Mar 2026Red Owl Boxing Presents Box Fest XVII on Friday, April 3rd at The Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA and LIVE on DAZN
, Tue, 24 Mar 2026Boxing world fans waiting Isis Sio prompty recovery; Team Isis Sio statement
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 24 Mar 2026National Master Nika Juris Nicolas rules National Youth & Schools Chess Championships
, Tue, 24 Mar 2026SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS DOUBLE MAIN EVENTS SET AS JULIUS “JUJU” BALLO SQAURES OFF AGAINST ROMAN REYES AT FRONTWAVE ARENA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
, Mon, 23 Mar 2026"I'M A MAN OF MY WORD": GEORGE LIDDARD COMPLETES MATCHROOM BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY – HOURS AFTER DENNY WIN
, Mon, 23 Mar 2026Lester Martinez Wins WBC Interim World Super Middleweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Immanuwel Aleem
, Sun, 22 Mar 2026IBF Pan Pacific champion Vince Paras set to face unbeaten OPBF champion Aoi Yokoyama in Kyrgyzstan
, Sun, 22 Mar 2026King James sets NBA all-time record for most games played
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 22 Mar 2026Loaded boxing schedule
By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 22 Mar 2026WEIGHTS, IMAGES, RUNNING ORDER AND THE LAST WORDS AHEAD OF ADAMES VS. WILLIAMS IN ORLANDO
, Sat, 21 Mar 2026COPPER BOX ARENA FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS LIDDARD AND DENNY FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
, Sat, 21 Mar 2026Weights From ‘Martinez vs. Aleem’ Event from the NOS Event Center in San Bernardino and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
, Sat, 21 Mar 2026Jordan Orozco Training Camp Notes
, Sat, 21 Mar 2026Towns vs. Bordin for PAT Belt; De Barbo, Nancholas, Samiei in Supporting Bouts at Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Pattaya Beach, Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026YOENIS TELLEZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
, Fri, 20 Mar 2026Lebron James ties the most game played in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026Pichay supports GM Antonio's Australian chess circuit campaign
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026LIDDARD-DENNY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S COPPER BOX FIGHT NIGHT
, Fri, 20 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
