WBC Bantamweight Status – Feb 2023
The bantamweight division was a busy one during the past annual convention in Acapulco, Mexico. The reigning champion last November was Naoya Inoue who was scheduled to fight a unification bout against Paul Butler for the undisputed recognition in the division.
The WBC has both Nonito Donaire and Jason Maloney present during the open sessions of the mandatories at the main room of the convention. The WBC Board of Governors voted in favor to order them to fight in a final elimination for the winner to fight for the undisputed title and accepted to rule that if the bantamweight division became vacant such fight would be for The WBC vacant world title.
Another final elimination was ordered between Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai vs Reymart Gaballo to determine the second mandatory of the division.
– Naoya Inoue has since vacated the title and will challenge Stephen Fulton for The WBC Super Bantamweight championship.
– Jason Maloney has decided not to fight against Donaire and will instead fight for another organization.
– Nawaphon and Gaballo have reached an agreement and will fight in a date to be determined.
– Emmanuel Rodriguez will be fighting for another organization.
With all these considerations, the WBC has ordered Nonito Donaire to fight Alexandro Santiago for The WBC Bantamweight championship with the winner committed to fight against the winner of Nawaphon vs Gaballo.
