Nonito Donaire lands WBC World Title Shot on July 15th against Alexandro Santiago
Nonito Donaire vs Alexandro Santiago likely for this July
Veteran Nonitio Donaire will land another world title opportunity against top contender Alexandro Santiago. The bout is likely for July 15th in America and will likely be a PBC production NoSmokeSport understands.
The division was put in somewhat of a limbo after former undisputed champion Naoya Inoue vacated his 4 belts, after announcing his move to 122 lbs. This means that Donaire vs Santiago will be the third vacant bantamweight title fight this year, with Jason Moloney, and Takuma Inoue winning the WBO, and WBA titles. The vacant IBF title bout will involve former champion Emanuel Rodriguez and will happen later in the year.
Donaire will go down a boxing legend, winning his first world title in 2007 at flyweight, and being at world level ever since. Having been in with names such as Carl Frampton, Naoya Inoue, Ryan Burnett, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Jorge Arce, and Vic Darchinyan, it’s fair to say in an era of fighters avoiding challenges, he has not.
Having won the WBC title in May 2021 against Nordine Oubaali and making one successful defence against Reymart Gaballo. In Donaire’s latest bout, he sought a unification against then IBF, and WBA champion Naoya Inoue last June. He lost that bout by 2nd round TKO.
Santiago has established himself as a contender over recent years and is ranked number 4 by the WBC. He had a 20 fight unbeaten streak broken by Gary Antonio Russell, losing a Majority Decision in November 2021, but has bounced back well with three impressive wins.