Sources: Donaire–Tsutsumi Being Tabbed for December 17 Title Tripleheader in Tokyo
- Matthew Brown
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
10/23/2025
Filipino boxing legend Nonito Donaire is set for a major bout when he returns to Japan this winter. Sources tell Brunch Boxing that Donaire (43-8, 28 KOs) is being lined up to face Seiya Tsutsumi (12-0-3, 8 KOs) for the WBA Bantamweight Championship on December 17 in Tokyo, as part of a blockbuster three-title event.
The bout would mark Donaire’s second fight of 2025, continuing an inspiring late-career resurgence for the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer. After nearly two years away from the ring, Donaire returned in June and captured the interim WBA Bantamweight title with a decisive victory over Andres Campos. According to sources, Donaire is expected to be officially elevated to full champion status before the December showdown.
Tsutsumi gets an opportunity to reclaim the belt he never lost in the ring. The 29-year-old from Tokyo was previously recognized as the WBA Bantamweight Champion before being named champion-in-recess earlier this year following eye surgery. His most recent outing came in February, when he fought to a unanimous decision draw against Daigo Higa.
Tsutsumi had originally been slated to face Antonio Vargas, the reigning WBA Bantamweight Champion. However, Vargas was forced to withdraw from the planned matchup following the passing of his mother, who had battled cancer for five years. Vargas is not expected to return to the ring until the first quarter of 2026, and sources indicate that plans are already being discussed for him to face the winner of Donaire–Tsutsumi, though nothing has been finalized.
The December 17 event is expected to be a title-laden tripleheader featuring several of Japan’s brightest young stars.
In one of the feature bouts, WBA Junior Flyweight Champion Kyosuke Takami will meet WBO Junior Flyweight Champion Rene Santiago in a major unification bout. Takami, just 23 years old, captured his world title in July with a thrilling tenth-round TKO of Erick Rosa. Meanwhile, Santiago earned his share of the championship earlier this year with a victory over Shokichi Iwata in March.
Rounding out the championship lineup, WBO Flyweight Champion Anthony Olascuaga is expected to defend his belt against rising Japanese contender Jukiya Iimura.
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