Former four-division boxing champion Nonito Donaire has vented his frustration following his loss against Mexico’s Alexandro Santiago in their WBC bantamweight title tiff over the weekend.
An aging Donaire found himself a step behind a younger and faster Santiago, who was able to outclass him in 12 rounds to win the vacant WBC strap.
“I’m disappointed,” said Donaire. “This is a blessing to do this for a very long time. I feel good still. Congratulations to Alexandro. He deserves it. He is a tough guy.”
The Filipino Flash admitted Santiago caught him by surprise and forced him to discard his game plan.
“I was trying to counter so much and put so much power into it. I tried to fight like a warrior, which was something we didn’t train to do,” he said.
“There were times when I didn’t pull the trigger. That was my biggest problem.”
Donaire was attempting to reset the record he himself set by winning the same title when he knocked out Nordine Oubaali at 38 years old.
But he fell short, and he is now at the crossroads of his illustrious 50-fight career.
“I love the sport so much,” said Donaire. “We just have to go back to the locker room, talk about it, and see where we go from there.”
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