Nonito Donaire, Jason Moloney ordered to fight for vacant WBC title

FILE– Donaire reacts after his third-round knockout victory over Reymart Gaballo for the WBC World Bantamweight Championship at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 11, 2021 in Carson, California. Harry How / Getty Images / AFP

MANILA, Philippines—Nonito Donaire will get his chance to achieve world champion status.

The World Boxing Council has ordered a title fight between Donaire and Australia’s Jason Moloney for the vacant WBC bantamweight belt, according to BoxingScene.com.

Donaire (42-7, 28KOs) is currently ranked second at 118 pounds by the WBC with Moloney (25-2, 19KOs) No.

They were placed as the two top contenders by the WBC during the convention held last November.

According to the report, both camps have been given until February 17 to settle and avoid the purse bid hearing.

The WBC belt was recently vacated by Japan’s Naoya Inoue on January 13, exactly one month after capturing the crown by stopping Paul Butler in the 11th round to become the undisputed champion.

Inoue, who has beaten both Donaire-on two occasions-and Moloney during the rampage at bantamweight, will now be campaigning at 122 pounds where he also plans to unify all the titles.

Donaire, 40, has not fought since being demolished by Inoue in two rounds in a rematch last June where “The Filipino Flash” lost his WBC belt.

The 32-year-old Moloney is on a four-fight winning streak since losing to Inoue in October 2020.

A victory by Donaire, a four-division champion, would mark his fourth bantamweight title.

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