Nonito Donaire’s first fight in nearly two years has already encountered controversy.
BoxingScene has learned that there is a dispute over the gloves to be worn by Chile’s Andres Campos, whom Donaire is due to face this Saturday in Buenos Aires, Argentina for the interim WBA bantamweight title.
The issue came to light after both boxers made weight. Boxers and their teams are required to provide two pairs of sealed gloves for examination prior to fights, but Campos, 17-2-1 (6 KOs), reportedly failed to submit new gloves. Campos initially tried to pass along previously used boxing gloves as two fresh sets.
The event promoter offered to provide Campos with a pair from its stock inventory for such occasions, which his team reportedly rejected. Another suggestion was for Campos to use the second pair submitted by Donaire, 42-8 (28 KOs), for fight night.
The matter is presently under discussion and in search of resolution as of this story’s publication.
BoxingScene was informed that the matter is expected to be remedied and the fight to move forward.
Donaire-Campos will headline the second night of a two-card event at Casino Buenos Aires as part of the WBA’s annual “KO Drugs” festival.
The two will compete for a secondary version of the WBA 118lbs title. It became available when Antonio Vargas was elevated to full WBA titleholder, as prior claimant Seiya Tsutsumi was downgraded to “Champion in Recess” due to injury.
Donaire, 42, has been out of the ring since a July 2023 defeat to Alexandro Santiago for the vacant WBC 118lbs title. The future Hall of Famer has claimed major titles in four weight divisions and now returns with the goal to become a four-time bantamweight titlist.
A win on Saturday will put him on that path, as he will become the mandatory challenger for Vargas, who next defends against Daigo Higa on July 30 in Yokohama, Japan.
Donaire has already twice set the record as the oldest fighter ever to claim a bantamweight title. He first accomplished the feat in 2018, then broke his own mark nearly three years later.
Campos moves up in weight for this bout. He has primarily fought at flyweight, where he challenged then-unbeaten IBF titlist Sunny Edwards in a June 2023 points loss in London, England.
Saturday’s show will air live on TyC Sports in Argentina.
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on and .