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Despite tough KO loss to Inoue in Japan, superstar Nonito Donaire will fight Santiago for the WBC 118 world title By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Fri, 17 Feb 2023  Regardless of being ravaged by electrifying Japanese "Monster" Naoya Inoue (25-0, 21 KO"s) in two rounds last June in Japan, the WBC has ordered super popular Bohol-born Nonito Donaire to dlash against world-ranked Mexican Alejandro Santiago (27-3-5, 14 KO's), for the vacant WBC Bantamweight World Title next. It is not common at all that a boxer who gets bulldozed and jackhammered the way Nonito was in his last fight gets a direct shot at the world title. Not common indeed. But in the case of Nonito Donaire, we are talking about a future Hall-of-Famer boxer, a multi-division world champion who for two decades has thrilled and excited boxing fans from around the world, bringing even more fans into the sport, while being a role model and a gentleman inside and outside of the boxing ring. Who could forget Nonito's awesome stoppage win over Vic Darchinyan, and then his thunderous brilliance over Fernando Montiel, and how many more thrilling victories that have brought so much pride to his tons of fans in Pinoyland and around the globe? Time and time again Nonito's skills and heart have been tested to the maximum limit in front of our very eyes, left and right, with KO's of the year awards, fights of the year awards, fighter of the year awards, and you name it. Therefore, the WBC's decision to grant the remarkable Pinoy a direct shot at the vacant bantamweight world title is 100% sound, fair and reasonable. In fact, even at 40, "The Filipino Flash" is still today a dangerous bantamweight capable of besting a number of younger boxers, as his class is intact. Which brings us to the question in everybody's mind: Will this much-appreciated veteran multi-division champion Donaire (42-7, 28 KO) have enough speed, reflexes and stamina to deal with the lesser-known, but tough 27 year-old Mexican from Tijuana? Interestingly, Alejandro Santiago is known to Filipino fans after his hard-fought draw against then IBF superfly world champion Jerwin "Pretty Boy" Ancajas (33-3-2, 22 KO's) three years ago. Remember that one? Then, later on, Santiago lost by points to Gary Russell; but his last rumble was a win over veteran Antonio "Carita" Nieves (20-4-2, 11 KO's) last October. That being said, how will Alejandro Santiago do against the Filipino future Hall of Famer? Importantly, whoever emerges VICTORIOUS in the Donaire vs Santiago clash, will be required to make his first title defense against the winner of the WBC Eliminator between Nawaphon Kaikanha (57-2-1, 47 KO's), of Thailand and Filipino former titlist Reymart Gaballo (25-1, 21 KO's). Will Nonito Donaire be crowned champion of the world again? The author Carlos Costa of Panama can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.  |
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