Buenos Aires: Another legendary Filipino fighter is set to return to the ring after Manny Pacquiao officially stepped out of retirement. Four-division world champion Nonito Donaire will fight for the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title on June 14 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The 42-year-old will face a much younger opponent in Andres Campos of Chile.
According to Philippines News Agency, Donaire, with a record of 42-8 (28 KOs), will return to the ring following a near two-year absence. He last fought in July 2023 when he dropped a decision loss against Alexandro Santiago in their World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight title fight. The WBA announced Donaire's return in a social media post, declaring, 'The Filipino Flash is back.'
The WBA ordered the Donaire-Campos fight for the interim title after Japanese Seiya Tsutsumi was classified as 'champion in recess.' Campos, 28, holds a 17-2-1 record with six knockouts.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao, 46, is set to challenge World Boxing Council welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on July 19. In his last bout, Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) lost on points against Cuban Yordenis Ugas in August 2021. Barrios, 30, from Texas, holds a 29-2 record with 18 KOs.
