NONITO DONAIRE FIGHTS SEIYA TSUTSUMI FOR THE WBA BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Nov 2025
Former four-division world champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. sets his sights to establish a record as the third oldest boxer to win as world champion.
He is scheduled to fight on December 17 against Seiya Tsutsumi, the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight “champion in recess” in one of the triple-header world title fights promoted by Teiken Promotions.
Donaire earned a world title shot because he is the current WBA interim world champion. He replaces the former WBA champion Antonio Vargas as opponent for Tsutsumi after Vargas withdrew for personal reasons.
Donaire will turn 43 this November 16 and could rewrite his already legendary boxing career if he wins.
He sports a record of 43 wins with 28 knockouts and eight losses. He won world titles in flyweight, bantamweight, junior featherweight, and featherweight divisions.
He has held multiple world championships in those weight classes. At age 38, he is the oldest boxer in history to win a bantamweight world title and the first three-time champion in that weight class.
His most recent fight was last June 25 against Andres Campos for the WBA interim title. He won by a technical decision after suffering a right eyebrow cut in the ninth round where he was ahead in the score cards.
Tsutsumi, age 29, last fought on February 24 where he drew against fellow Japanese Daigo Haiga. He has an unbeaten record of 12 wins, eight knockouts, with three draws.
The oldest world champion was Bernard Hopkins winning the WBC light heavyweight title at age 49. Second oldest was Gorge Foreman who ni was the oldest heavyweight champion at age 45.
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