The writing is on the wall for Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire Jr. following his defeat against a younger Alexandro Santiago.
The 40-year-old looked very much his age and found himself a step behind the Mexican, especially during the second half of the WBC bantamweight championship bout.
“As we expected and feared, ‘yung naging performance ni Donaire kay Santiago ay performance ng 40-year-old grizzled veteran na matagal na walang laban at nagulpi sa huling laban kay Naoya Inoue,” said boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino, in a report by ABS-CBN News
The analyst even pointed out Donaire’s admission that his mind is no longer in sync with his body.
“Sinabi niya after the fight na’may plano ako e, pero hindi ko matrigger,” said Tolentino.
It was evident that Donaire is not only contending with Santiago but also with Father Time. Tolentino said that a younger version of the Filipino would have no problem taking down Santiago.
“Kung mayroon lang multiverse, the Flash could run back in time and pick up the best version of himself: ‘Yung tumalo kay (Fernando) Montiel at (Jorge) Arce. But there’s no such thing as the multiverse,” said Tolentino.
With the loss, Tolentino said the Filipino-American should do some serious thinking about whether he should fight again.
The analyst said Donaire has nothing to be ashamed of, given his achievements.
The Filipino Flash has held multiple world championships in four weight classes, from flyweight to featherweight. He is also one of a handful of fighters to hold world championships in three consecutive decades: the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s.
Donaire is also a three-time bantamweight champion, aside from holding the record of being the oldest bantamweight champion in the world when he knocked out Nordine Oubaali at the age of 38.
“Hindi naman nalagasan ang legacy ni Donaire. I’m sure he’s still a hall of famer sa first year of eligibility niya, and he is one of the greatest Filipino boxing champions of all time,” said Tolentino.
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