FILE–Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire. –Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—Nonito Donaire’s world title fight against Mexican brawler Alexandro Santiago has been set for July 15 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The bout, which is for the vacant WBC bantamweight belt, will serve as a co-feature to the lightweight clash featuring Frank Martin and Artem Harutyunyan in a Showtime triple bill, according to BoxingScene.com.
Donaire was supposed to take on Jason Moloney for the WBC title but the Australian opted to pursue the WBO strap instead which he ended up winning last month when he unseated Filipino Vincent Astrolabio in California.
The WBC approved the Donaire-Santiago fight last February 16.
The 40-year-old Donaire will attempt to break his own record as the oldest bantamweight champion.
A win by Donaire (42-7, 28KOs) makes him a world champion at 118 pounds for the fourth time.
Santiago (27-3-5, 14KOs), who is 13 years the junior of Donaire, meanwhile, is aiming for his first world title on his second try. He’s won his last three fights.
Santiago got his maiden crack at a world title in 2018 when he and another Filipino Jerwin Ancajas fought to a split draw in a fight where Ancajas was expected to dominate.
Donaire hasn’t fought since getting knocked out by Naoya Inoue in their June 2022 rematch.