Nonito Donaire set for WBC title fight vs Alexandro Santiago

Photo from World Boxing Council

MANILA, Philippines—Nonito Donaire will have another shot at a world title.

The World Boxing Council has approved a fight between Donaire and Mexico’s Alexandro Santiago for the vacant WBC bantamweight belt.

The location and date of the bout have yet to be announced.

Donaire, 40, a four-division champion, was supposed to take on Jason Moloney for the strap but the Australian opted to pursue a different title instead. Donaire is ranked No. 1 bantamweight by the WBC.

The WBC on Saturday also said the winner between Donaire and Santiago is “committed to fight” against the victor of the title eliminator featuring Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai and Filipino Reymart Gaballo.

The fight against Santiago offers Donaire (42-7, 28KOs) a chance to reclaim the belt he lost following a second-round knockout at the hands of Naoya Inoue last June.

Beating Santiago (27-3-5, 14KOs), however, won’t be a walk in the park.

The 27-year-old Santiago, rated No. 4 by the WBC at 118 pounds, is on a three-fight winning streak since he dropped a majority decision to Gary Antonio Russell in November 2021.

His lone world title fight was against another Filipino Jerwin Ancajas, whom he almost beat after their bout in 2018 ended in a split draw.

Donaire is already the oldest champion at bantamweight, setting the record in 2021 when he knocked out Nordine Oubaali.