FOR the second time in two years, Nonito Donaire Jr. will try to defy Father Time.
The 40-year-old Filipino attempts to become the oldest world bantamweight champion on Sunday (Manila time) when he faces Alejandro Santiago for the vacant WBC version of the 118lbs title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Donaire will try to break his own record as he holds the distinction of being the oldest bantamweight title holder in boxing history at 38 years old when he knocked out Nordine Oubaali in the fourth round of their WBC bout in May of 2021.
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The ‘Filipino Flash’ is confident about his chances against the 27-year-old Mexican from Tijuana, Baja California.
“I believe I have a great game plan going into this fight,” said Donaire during the pre-fight presser.
Donaire (42-7, 28 KOs) lost in his last bout against Naoya Inoue in a failed bid to unify all four title belts in the division.
He still aims to settle that score until now.
“I would get this one, and then Takuma Inoue (WBA champion), and then whoever else, and then Jason Moloney or whoever gets the IBF (crown),” he said. “I’m still going to go for all the belts.”
Santiago is no patsy fighter though, holding a 27-3 (14 KOs) record. In his only shot at a world title, he drew with Filipino former IBF super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas.
The Donaire-Santiago fight is in the undercard of the Errol Spence-Terrence Crawford undisputed welterweight title bout.
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