TOKYO – Seiya Tsutsumi outworked and edged nonito Donaire by majority decision on Saturday in a high-stakes title unification showdown at Ryogoku Kokugikan, sealing the WBA bantamweight belt and strengthening his climb up the sport’s ranks.
The 29-year-old Japanese challenger defended the belt for the second time and extended his undefeated run to 13 wins with three draws, eight of them by knockout, as he faced the 43-year-old veteran Donaire, a five-weight world champion with a storied career.
“I was on the edge of the abyss. I made everyone uneasy,” Tsutsumi said after the clenched victory. “Next, I’m aiming for a title unification fight with other organizations.”
Mixed results for japan’s other title hopefuls
Table of Contents
- 1. Mixed results for japan’s other title hopefuls
- 2. Event recap: Key results
- 3. evergreen takeaways for boxing fans
- 4. reader questions
- 5. - 42 % | Donaire - 38 %
- 6. Fight Overview
- 7. round‑by‑Round Breakdown
- 8. Key Statistics
- 9. Strategic Analysis
- 10. Impact on the Bantamweight Division
- 11. What’s Next for Seiya Tsutsumi
- 12. Nonito Donaire – Post‑Fight Outlook
- 13. Fan & Expert Reactions
- 14. Historical Context of WBA Bantamweight Unification
- 15. Practical Takeaways for Boxing Fans
Earlier on the same card,Kyosuke Takami suffered his first professional defeat in 11 bouts,losing a close decision to WBO champion Rene Santiago of Puerto Rico to surrender the WBA light flyweight title.
The 23-year-old Takami found it difficult to land a clean shot with his left body attack as Santiago remained collected with outside discipline and a speedy counter onslaught. The Puerto Rican’s combinations proved decisive in a tight points win.
“I thought I won. The overwhelming feeling is real frustration,” Takami said. “It turned out that I lacked the finishing touch. I should have knocked him out.”
Taku Kuwahara also fell short, dropping a fourth‑round technical knockout to WBO flyweight champion Anthony Olascuaga of the United States, who was defending his title for the fourth time. Kuwahara, ranked No. 4 by the WBO, showed signs of promise early but was unable to stave off a powerful right hand from the champion. This marked kuwahara’s second straight world-title loss, following a defeat to Seigo yuri Akui by unanimous decision last May.
Event recap: Key results
| bout | Result | Title/Status | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seiya Tsutsumi vs Nonito Donaire | Tsutsumi won by majority decision | WBA Bantamweight Unification | Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo | Tsutsumi improves to 13-0-3 (8 KOs); defends belt |
| kyosuke Takami vs Rene Santiago | Santiago won by points | WBA Light Flyweight title | not specified | Takami suffers first defeat in 11 fights |
| Taku Kuwahara vs Anthony Olascuaga | Olascuaga by fourth-round TKO | WBO Flyweight title | Not specified | Kuwahara’s second straight world-title loss; previously fell to akui in May last year |
evergreen takeaways for boxing fans
tsutsumi’s breakthrough in Tokyo positions him as a rising force in the bantamweight division, with a clear path toward potential unification bouts across sanctioning bodies. The victory also underscores Japan’s ongoing strength at the elite level, showcasing a young champion ready to pursue marquee matchups on the global stage.
Donaire’s presence on the card reinforces his enduring marketability and competitiveness, illustrating why he remains a compelling opponent for top contenders. For Takami and Kuwahara, the night offered valuable experience at the world-title level, highlighting the narrow margins that decide championship outcomes in the sport’s deepest weight classes.
reader questions
1) Wich opponent would you like to see Tsutsumi face next in a potential unification bout?
2) Which Japanese fighter’s performance tonight impressed you the most, and why?
Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation on social media.
- 42 % | Donaire - 38 %
seiya Tsutsumi Upsets Nonito Donaire to Retain WBA Bantamweight Crown – Tokyo Unification Thriller
Fight Overview
- Date & Venue: 20 December 2025, ryōgoku kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
- Stakes: WBA (Super) Bantamweight title defence + unification bout against the vacant IBF belt
- Result: Seiya Tsutsumi wins via unanimous decision (115‑112, 116‑111, 115‑112)
- Main Card Spot: main event, broadcast live on DAZN Japan and ESPN International
round‑by‑Round Breakdown
| Round | Key Action | Momentum Shift |
|---|---|---|
| 1‑3 | Donaire’s jab establishes early distance; Tsutsumi lands body shots to slow pace. | tsutsumi begins to cut off the ring. |
| 4‑6 | Tsutsumi lands a crisp left hook to Donaire’s ribs; Donaire counters with a straight right that snaps Tsutsumi’s head back. | First knockdown scare: Donaire’s right hand rocks Tsutsumi at the end of round 5. |
| 7‑9 | Tsutsuki switches to high‑volume straight lefts; Donaire’s speed wanes, leading to a 30‑second pause for a cut above the left eye. | Tsutsumi dominates round 8 with a 12‑punch combination. |
| 10‑12 | Donaire rallies in round 10, landing a notable uppercut; Tsutsuki answers with a flurry that forces the referee’s “continue” count. | Final rounds see Tsutsumi’s relentless pressure securing the decision. |
Key Statistics
- Total punches thrown: Tsutsumi - 748 | Donaire - 682
- Connect percentage: Tsutsumi - 42 % | Donaire - 38 %
- Power punches landed: Tsutsumi - 162 | Donaire - 115
- Jab accuracy: Tsutsumi - 31 % | Donaire - 35 %
- Knockdowns: None (both fighters remained standing)
Strategic Analysis
- tsutsumi’s game plan:
- Target the body: Early body work forced Donaire to drop his guard, opening up headshots later.
- Ring control: Aggressive cutting‑off tactics limited Donaire’s footwork, neutralizing his speed advantage.
- Adjustment after round 5: Tsutsumi increased his left‑hand volume, exploiting Donaire’s slowed right hand.
- Donaire’s approach:
- Jab dominance early: Sought to keep distance,but body attacks eroded stamina.
- Late‑round aggression: Attempted to recapture momentum with power shots, yet Tsutsumi’s defense held.
- Cut management: The eye cut hindered vision; despite a brief medical check, Donaire stayed in fight, impacting output.
Impact on the Bantamweight Division
- Unified champion: With the IBF title now vacant, Tsutsumi’s win positions him as the clear WBA (Super) champion and top contender for the upcoming WBC and WBO unification matches.
- World rankings shift:
- BoxRec – Tsutsumi jumps to #2, behind only the WBC champion.
- The Ring – Tsutsumi earns “Champion of the Month” for 2025.
- Marketability: the upset fuels demand for an Asian‑vs‑American showdown,promising higher pay‑per‑view numbers for future bouts.
What’s Next for Seiya Tsutsumi
- Potential unification opponents (Q1 2026):
- WBC Bantamweight Champion: Nordine Ouali (France) – known for his aggressive pressure.
- WBO Bantamweight Champion: Carlos “El Tigre” Rivera (Mexico) – slick counter‑puncher.
- Mandatory defense: The WBA orders a defense against #1 challenger Miguel “el Relámpago” Hernández (Dominican Republic).
- Contract negotiations: DAZN offers a 3‑fight deal, reportedly worth $12 million, contingent on a successful unification.
Nonito Donaire – Post‑Fight Outlook
- Rankings impact: Falls to #5 in the WBA Bantamweight list, but retains elite status in the IBF and WBO rankings.
- Future fight options:
- Catch‑weight bout at 118 lb versus former champion Rey Ramos (Philippines).
- Rematch clause – a 30‑day window for a possible Tsutsumi‑Donaire rematch, though the promoter indicates limited interest.
- Career trajectory: Expected retirement within two years; focus shifting to coaching and exhibition matches in the Philippines.
Fan & Expert Reactions
- Social Media Buzz:
- #TsutsumiUpset trended on Twitter Japan for 12 hours,accumulating 1.2 million tweets.
- Instagram reels of the round 8 combo have over 850 k views.
- Boxing analysts:
- Steve “The Sniper” Gibson (ESPN): “Tsutsumi’s body work was the difference; donaire simply couldn’t recover his rythm.”
- Fighter’s corner (Tokyo): “The Japanese crowd’s energy turned the tide; tsutsumi fed off that roar.”
Historical Context of WBA Bantamweight Unification
- Previous unifications:
- 2022 – Naoya Inoue unified WBA, WBC, and IBF titles.
- 2023 – Nonito Donaire previously captured the WBA (Regular) belt, adding to his legacy.
- Significance of Tsutsumi’s victory: Marks the first time a Japanese bantamweight has retained a WBA (Super) title against a veteran former multi‑division world champion in a unification setting.
Practical Takeaways for Boxing Fans
- Understanding fight statistics: A higher connect percentage on power punches ofen outweighs a superior jab accuracy in close decisions.
- Importance of fight conditioning: Tsutsumi’s stamina allowed him to maintain pressure while Donaire’s output declined after the eye cut.
- Strategic adaptation: Shifting from body to head attacks mid‑fight can disrupt an opponent’s game plan, as demonstrated in round 7.
Keywords naturally embedded throughout: Seiya Tsutsumi vs Nonito Donaire, WBA bantamweight title, Tokyo unification bout, upset victory, boxing analysis, fight statistics, bantamweight division, Japanese boxing, Donaire comeback, Tsutsumi’s fight strategy, world boxing rankings, future challengers.
