Tsutsumi Retains WBA Title Over Donaire by Split Decision

In a thrilling 12-round battle at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena, Japanese bantamweight champion Seiya Tsutsumi retained his World Boxing Association title on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by edging out Filipino-American challenger Nonito Donaire via split decision. The 29-year-old Tsutsumi, fighting before a supportive home crowd, overcame an early deficit to secure victory on two judges' scorecards, 115-113 and 117-111, while the third judge scored it 116-112 for the 43-year-old Donaire.

Donaire, a four-division world champion and nine-time titlist, started aggressively, using his sharp jab and straight right hands to control the opening rounds. He nearly forced a stoppage in the fourth, landing a powerful right that buckled Tsutsumi's legs and opened a cut on the bridge of the champion's nose. Blood flowed as Donaire pressed with body shots and left hooks, stunning Tsutsumi just before the bell saved the local fighter. Donaire maintained pressure into the fifth and sixth rounds, peppering Tsutsumi with jabs while the Japanese boxer struggled to regain his footing.

Tsutsumi, however, found his rhythm midway through the fight. By the seventh round, he unleashed combinations...