On June 14 (June 15 Japan time), the weigh-in was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the WBA World Bantamweight Interim Title Match, which will take place at the WBA “KO to Drugs” Festival at Casino Buenos Aires.
The bout features 42-year-old Nonito Donaire (Philippines), a former five-division world champion (including interim titles) and currently ranked No. 5 in the division with a record of 42 wins (28 KOs) and 8 losses, against No. 8-ranked Andrés Campos (Chile), who holds a record of 17 wins (6 KOs), 2 losses, and 1 draw.
Donaire weighed in at 117.9 pounds, while Campos came in right at the 118-pound limit.
On July 29, 2023 (July 30 Japan time), Nonito Donaire suffered a unanimous decision loss over 12 rounds to Alejandro Santiago (Mexico), who now holds a record of 28 wins (14 KOs), 5 losses, and 5 draws, in a bout for the vacant WBC World Bantamweight Title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Nearly one year and eleven months later, Donaire is making his return to the ring.
Despite the long layoff, Donaire remains a big name in the boxing world, and many local fans in Argentina are excited to see him in action again.
During his time in Buenos Aires, Donaire reunited with former rival Omar Narváez (Argentina), a former WBO flyweight and super flyweight world champion. Their reunion drew significant media coverage and warmed the hearts of local fans.
“The Flash” vs. “The Hurricane” took place on October 22, 2011 (October 23 Japan time) at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, where Nonito Donaire dominated Argentine hero Omar Narváez over 12 rounds to retain his WBC and WBO World Bantamweight titles. Donaire handed Narváez his first professional loss and blocked his bid to become a three-division world champion.
Now, Donaire is making his return to the ring in Argentina, and the question remains—can he capture another world title immediately upon his comeback? Even though it’s for an interim belt, the match is drawing considerable attention.
Due to unexpected issues with the originally planned opponent, promoters scrambled to find a replacement, eventually selecting Andrés Campos—a natural flyweight—while also considering regional factors. For Campos, this interim world title opportunity presents a historic chance not only for himself but also for Chile, as winning would mark a significant milestone in the country’s boxing history. The fight has become a matter of national interest in Chile.
“It would be crazy to miss this opportunity. Our team is calm, happy, and more prepared than ever for this fight.”
“Nonito Donaire is my idol—I grew up watching his fights, so to now share the ring with him is like a dream come true. There’s a saying: ‘Train until your idol becomes your rival,’ and that’s exactly what has happened to me.”
“If I had taken this fight a few years ago, I don’t know if I could have won. But now, he’s in his 40s and not at his peak. I will never underestimate him, but I’ve done everything possible to prepare for victory. I will bring the world title home to Chile.”
“If I win, the possibilities that lie ahead are endless,” said the confident 28-year-old Campos, boldly promising victory. Local media in Chile are eager to deliver news of Campos achieving the impossible to the nation and are anticipating this historic moment.
The winner of this unexpected interim title fight between No. 5-ranked Donaire and No. 8-ranked Campos will go on to face the winner of the July 30 clash at Yokohama BUNTAI, between WBA World Bantamweight “Regular” Champion Antonio Vargas (USA, 19 wins [11 KOs], 1 loss, 1 NC) and No. 3-ranked contender Daigo Higa (Shisei Gym, Japan, 21 wins [19 KOs], 3 losses, 2 draws).
However, the presence of “Champion in Recess” Seiya Tsutsumi (Kadoebi Boxing Gym, 12 wins [8 KOs], no losses, 3 draws) complicates the path to that showdown, making the road ahead potentially tangled.
The WBA World Championships Committee has the explicit authority to revise mandatory defense periods and temporarily suspend the application of various rules. Under those rules, it can grant special permission as needed—essentially meaning the organization can make decisions flexibly as it sees fit. In the end, business interests are likely to take precedence.
It was heartwarming news that Nonito Donaire reunited with former WBO flyweight and super flyweight champion Omar Narváez, and their moment of reconnecting was widely covered by the media, bringing joy to local fans.
However, the WBA interim title bout remains a tough and unforgiving challenge.
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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