| |
|
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:
Donaire back in Cebu
By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
, Fri, 23 Jan 2026Four Pinoys in line for title shots
By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
, Fri, 23 Jan 2026SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
, Thu, 22 Jan 2026STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
, Thu, 22 Jan 2026Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
, Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
, Thu, 22 Jan 2026KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
, Thu, 22 Jan 2026REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
, Wed, 21 Jan 2026Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 20 Jan 2026Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Tue, 20 Jan 2026“Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Tue, 20 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
By Eric Armit, , Mon, 19 Jan 2026Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Mon, 19 Jan 2026RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
, Sat, 17 Jan 2026Weights from Philadelphia
, Sat, 17 Jan 2026Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 Jan 2026MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
, Sat, 17 Jan 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
