Donaire ready for Tsutsumi

The WBA has returned champion-in-recess Seiya Tsutsumi back on the throne to clear the way for the Japanese to defend the bantamweight crown against interim titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr. in a scheduled 12-rounder at the Kokugikan Arena, Tokyo, tomorrow night.

- By JOAQUIN M. HENSON

Tsutsumi was declared in-recess to recover from his previous fight where he survived a knockdown to retain his crown on a draw with Daigo Higa in October last year. Antonio Vargas, who won the interim belt two months later, was named champion and Donaire took the interim title on a technical decision over Andres Campos in Buenos Aires last June. Vargas, now champion-in-recess, will take on the winner of the Tsutsumi-Donaire duel to settle the bantamweight confusion once and for all.