In a turn of events that has sent ripples through the bantamweight division, Nonito Donaire has been ranked as the WBA’s top contender at 118lbs. This development comes hot on the heels of his contentious split decision loss to Seiya Tsutsumi in Tokyo just two weeks prior. The appeal filed by Donaire’s wife and manager, Rachel, with all four major sanctioning bodies has borne fruit with the WBA, marking a significant step in Donaire’s illustrious career.
The controversy surrounding Donaire’s loss to Tsutsumi is fueled by compelling statistics. According to CompuBox, Donaire out-landed Tsutsumi in power shots with a tally of 79-64. He also threw more punches per round, averaging 59.7 compared to Tsutsumi’s 54.3, and boasted a higher power accuracy of 29% versus Tsutsumi’s 22%. Despite these metrics, two judges scored the fight in favor of Tsutsumi, with one judge’s scorecard of 117-111 being particularly contentious. Rachel Donaire’s criticism of this score as “highly disrespectful” to the sport underscores the frustration felt by the Donaire camp. The third judge’s score of 116-112 for Donaire aligns more closely with the statistical evidence.
Adding a layer of complexity to the situation is Tsutsumi’s health. The undefeated fighter, with a record of 13-0-1 and eight knockouts, underwent nearly four hours of surgery to repair a broken nose and facial cuts sustained during the fight. This raises questions about his ability to defend his title against Antonio Vargas within the mandated 120 days. The bantamweight division has seen its share of unpredictability, with Vargas and Tsutsumi already swapping champion and champion-in-recess status twice this year without a single punch being thrown.
Donaire’s ascent to the top of the WBA rankings is not the only notable development in the bantamweight division. Kazuto Ioka, another former four-division champion, made a successful debut at 118lbs on New Year’s Eve, stopping Maikel Ordosgoitti in four rounds with a devastating liver shot. Ioka, now 32-4-1 with 17 knockouts, has set his sights on WBC titleholder Takuma Inoue and has even suggested the possibility of a fight on the undercard of the highly anticipated Naoya Inoue versus Junto Nakatani bout this spring.
Nonito Donaire’s legacy in the sport of boxing is undeniable. At 42, he holds the distinction of being the oldest bantamweight champion in boxing history, a record he has broken twice. With nine world titles across four weight divisions and championships spanning three consecutive decades, Donaire’s resume is a testament to his enduring skill and determination. The contrast between Donaire’s fresh appearance in family photos taken days after the fight and Tsutsumi’s immediate need for surgery further highlights Donaire’s remarkable condition and fighting spirit.
As the bantamweight division continues to captivate boxing fans with its unpredictable storylines, Donaire’s ranking as the WBA’s top contender adds another layer of intrigue. His record of 43-9-0 with 28 knockouts underscores his continued danger in the ring, making him a formidable presence in the division.
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