Nonito Donaire seeks world boxing crown vs Australian

January 25, 2023 - Wednesday 4:01 PM by Romeo Braceros Jr

Nonito Donaire, who is 40 years old, will have the chance to win the world championship once more after the World Boxing Council officially ordered a bout between him and Australian Jason Moloney to fill Naoya Inoue's vacant bantamweight title.

Donaire and Moloney, the top candidates in the WBC's 118-lb division, have until February 17 to reach an agreement to prevent purse bidding.

From Melbourne, Australia, Moloney, promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank Inc., boasts a 25-2 win-loss record with 19 knockouts. 

His two defeats were against the world champions.

Donaire, who has a record of 42-7 with 28 knockouts, hasn't competed since being brutally stopped by Inoue in Saitama, Japan, in June last year.

After Inoue decided to leave the bantam category to compete for a fourth world championship in as many weight classes as possible,

Donaire and Moloney emerged as the front-runners to fill the vacant title.

Donaire and Moloney would be brought in to compete for the title if Inoue vacates, according to a decision made by the Mexico-based WBC as early as November of last year.

If he prevails, Donaire will be among the oldest boxers ever to win a world championship recognized by a well-known regulatory organization.

In the past 20 years, Donaire has been the top boxer in the Philippines, second only to eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao.