Alexandro Santiago defeats Nonito Donaire to capture bantamweight world title

Alexandro Santiago captured the vacant WBC world bantamweight title following a clear-cut unanimous decision nod over Nonito Donaire Jr. this Sunday (Philippine time) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Donaire moved forward in the early going seemingly gauging what his opponent has to offer. Santiago kept busy with his jab, doubling the punch every now and then before throwing the right.

Santiago started throwing combinations in round two while Donaire tried to land counter shots with his right straight. In round three, Donaire landed his trademark left hook that immediately backed Santiago.

Donaire started to swell below his right eye in round 4 after receiving accumulated punches and seemingly started to lose steam two rounds later. Meanwhile, Santiago looked fresh darting in and out against the taller Donaire.

Santiago threw with bad intentions in round 7 that momentarily stunned Donaire. He followed up with tactical pressure the following round, peppering the Filipino with hard punches to the head and body.

In round 9, Santiago pinned Donaire to the ropes and threw a barrage of punches seemingly looking for the stoppage before landing a big right hand in the following stanza.

A fading Donaire was beaten up in round 11 and had little to offer in round 12.

All three judges saw the fight for Santiago earning him a unanimous decision to capture his first world title. The scorecards were 115-113, 116-112, and 116-112.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News