On June 14 (June 15 Japan time), the main event of the WBA “KO to Drugs” festival was held at Casino Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The bout was for the WBA Interim World Bantamweight Title. In a clash between 42-year-old former five-division world champion (including interim titles) and WBA No. 5 ranked Nonito Donaire of the Philippines (42 wins, 28 KOs, 8 losses) and No. 8 ranked Andres Campos of Chile (17 wins, 6 KOs, 2 losses, 1 draw), Donaire won by technical decision in the 9th round due to an accidental headbutt.
Donaire, who had the height advantage, started the first round in a southpaw stance, applying pressure with left hooks and aiming for left body uppercuts. Near the end of the round, he switched back to orthodox and from the second round onward, he closed the distance with powerful right straights and left body shots.
Campos responded to Donaire’s pressure with movement and extended jabs, occasionally throwing right straights, though they failed to land. By round five, Donaire began using flicker jabs frequently, mixing in right straights and left body punches, although his accuracy was lacking. Campos continued to rely on jabs and movement, while Donaire outpaced him with jabs, power punches, and overall punch volume to score points.
At the end of the seventh round, Donaire landed a right straight followed by a left body shot, asserting his dominance. In the eighth, Campos showed signs of a comeback, but Donaire stood his ground. In the ninth round, an accidental headbutt caused a cut above Donaire’s right eye. Although the cut didn’t appear severe, the doctor stopped the fight after a ringside check. The official scores were 88-83, 87-84, and 87-84 in favor of Donaire.
Making his return to the ring after approximately 1 year and 11 months, Nonito Donaire captured the interim title with his first win in about three and a half years. However, given that Campos was overly defensive throughout the bout, it was difficult to gauge whether Donaire had truly returned to form.
Donaire, who wore a solemn expression during the winner’s announcement, is now set to face the winner of the upcoming WBA World Bantamweight “Regular” title bout between reigning champion Antonio Vargas (USA, 19 wins, 11 KOs, 1 loss, 1 NC) and No. 3 ranked contender Daigo Higa (Shisei Boxing, Japan, 21 wins, 19 KOs, 3 losses, 2 draws), scheduled for July 30 at BUNTAI Arena in Yokohama.
On the undercard, Junior Andres Narvaez (Argentina, age 20), the son of former two-division world champion Omar Narvaez, fought in a 4-round super bantamweight bout. With his father Omar working as his chief second, Narvaez faced Dennis Martinez (Argentina), who had lost all six of his previous fights.
In this southpaw vs. southpaw match, both fighters came out with sharp exchanges from the first round. Just before the end of the second round, Narvaez landed a counter right hook, dropping Martinez. Although Martinez managed to beat the count and hear the bell, Narvaez launched a relentless assault in round three that pushed Martinez back. Referee Gustavo Padilla (Panama) ruled another knockdown and stopped the fight.
If Daigo Higa wins the WBA World Bantamweight title match on July 30, he will face Nonito Donaire — and a knockout finish seems inevitable!
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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