Nonito Donaire not yet ready to call it quits after close loss to Seiya Tsutsumi

Filipino boxing veteran Nonito Donaire Jr. signaled he isn’t ready to hang up his gloves despite a hard-fought split-decision loss to Japanese champion Seiya Tsutsumi in their World Boxing Association (WBA) Bantamweight title bout Wednesday night at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena.

The 43-year-old Donaire fell just short of claiming the bantamweight crown, with two judges scoring the fight in favor of Tsutsumi and one scoring it for the Filipino slugger.

After the final bell, Donaire acknowledged the disappointment of the outcome but made it clear that his passion for boxing remains undiminished. 

“Yes, of course. But my queen (wife and trainer Rachel Donaire) is the one who makes all the decisions, so I’ll leave that to her. And as I said earlier, I don’t want to make history or anything; I step into the ring because I enjoy it from the bottom of my heart and with joy, so I want to cherish that joy,” Donaire said.

Donaire’s bid in Tokyo was part of a remarkable late-career run. Earlier in 2025, he captured the interim WBA bantamweight title with a technical decision win over Andres Campos, adding another chapter to his legacy as one of boxing’s most enduring fighters.

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#LSVBM #BOXING

43 years old legend, Nonito Donaire, breaks Tsutsumi’s nose in round 4 and has him badly hurt… Razor close fight but pulling it off at 43 in one of boxing’s lowest weight classes, where 43 means you’re not just old, you’re ancient.

Had some money on Tsutsumi… pic.twitter.com/tEnmwkhnwg

— LSVbetmachine (@leroisansvisage) December 17, 2025

A victory against Tsutsumi would have made Donaire one of the oldest world champions in boxing history, but even in defeat, the Filipino legend’s performance reinforced his status as a highly respected figure in the ring.

Tsutsumi, now the reigning WBA bantamweight champion, is expected to defend his title in the months ahead as he continues to solidify his position among the division’s elite.

Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Donaire gave Tsutsumi his flowers, highlighting his toughness in the gruelling 12-rounder.

“He was a very tough opponent. He got so many blisters, and they popped during the fight. What’s more, all four of his fingers were injured. That’s how much punches he took. But he was tough enough not to go down. I think that toughness is the reason he won today,” Donaire added.

Donaire has previously expressed interest in chasing another world title before he retires, just like fellow Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.

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