Is Nonito Now Too Old?

IS FILIPINO BELOVED LIVING-LEGEND NONITO DONAIRE NOW TOO OLD FOR TODAY’S BOXING NEW GENERATION?

Standing at only 5′ 3″, Mexican Alexandro “Peque” Santiago did what many boxing fans thought he could not do: Outbox and defeat “The Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire.

Santiago conquered the vacant WBC bantamweight world title by defeating the Boholano Nonito via unanimous decision at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Santiago dominated during the best part of the 12-chapter fight, leading the initiative in the attacks.

No surprisingly, at the end of 12 rounds battle, the 27-year-old Mexican from Tijuana, nicknamed “Peque” (short for Small), was awarded the win.

Scores were 115-113, and 116-112 (twice) for Santiago.

The surprising victory for Alexandro “Peque” Santiago breaks the 16-0 winning streak of Nonito Donaire over Mexican fighters.

“I am very happy. I have worked long and hard for this moment,” said an emotional Santiago.

“And (this victory) is by fighting a legend like Nonito Donaire.

“I said that I would return to Mexico as a World Champion, and I did it.

“I have done this for my girlfriend, for my newborn son, for my mother, my father, for my brothers, and for my whole family.

“There were no worries for me. Because I know I have prepared and because I have a good corner.

“And, above all, I am grateful to God for this result tonight,” said Santiago, then tears rolled-down from his eyes.

Nonito Donaire at age 40 is a future Hall of Famer, a fighter who has done so much for boxing. Is he now really too old, perhaps needing to retire to avoid anything bad to his health?

Is he at the end of his boxing days? He was viciously knocked out by Naoya Inoue. That was painful to watch. Tonight, he gets defeated by Santiago, a fighter whom Nonito in his prime would have stopped with no problem.

Should awesome gentleman inside and outside the ring, Nonito Donaire, rather hang up his boxing gloves for good, for the sake of his beautiful wife, children and family?

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