Donaire now in camp for Inoue
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 14 Jul 2019
Nonito Donaire, Jr. is staying fit in the gym even as the date and site for his World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) final showdown with Japan?s Naoya Inoue are still undetermined. It appears that the world bantamweight championship fight will be held sometime in the fall, the season between summer and winter, so September, October and November are options.
Donaire?s wife Rachel said the Filipino Flash has been dutifully working out for the duel against the man called ?The Monster.? ?Jun has been in camp,? she said the other day. ?We?re waiting for confirmation from Richard (Schaefer) when and where the fight will be held.? Schaefer, who promotes Donaire, is Ringstar Sports CEO and the WBSS co-founder. No matter when and where, Donaire will be ready for Inoue.
Donaire, 36, holds the ?super? WBA/WBC diamond bantamweight crowns while Inoue is the ?regular? WBA/IBF unified champion. They both hurdled two opponents on the way to booking their WBSS final fight for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
Last May, Inoue showed up at the IBF Convention in Macau and IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas? trainer Joven Jimenez sized him up. ?Magandang laban nila ni Donaire,? said Jimenez who attended the gathering with Ancajas and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons. ??Mukhang matibay si Inoue.? The problem was Inoue didn?t talk much. ?Hindi siya nagsalita,? said Jimenez. ?Wala siyang interpreter na dala.?
Inoue, 26, lets his fists do the talking. He?s unbeaten with an 18-0 record, including 16 KOs. His last three fights took only 441 total seconds as Inoue demolished the UK?s Jamie McDonnell in 1:52, the Dominican Republic?s Juan Carlos Payano in 1:10 and Puerto Rico?s Emmanuel Rodriguez in 1:19 of the second round. The three victims entered the ring with a combined record of 68-3-1 so they were no patsies.
Of Inoue?s 18 bouts, 13 were for the world title. He won the WBC lightflyweight belt in his sixth fight and later annexed the WBO superflyweight crown. Donaire is a lot more experienced with a record of 40-5, including 26 KOs. He has held the IBF/IBO flyweight, interim WBA superflyweight, WBC/WBO bantamweight, WBO superbantamweight and WBA featherweight titles and now owns the ?super? WBA bantamweight crown. Donaire has figured in over 20 world championship fights.
Former two-time world titlist Gerry Penalosa said two factors going for Donaire are his experience and the high quality of his opposition. ?Inoue is young, hungry but untested,? said Penalosa. ?If Donaire is 100 percent in condition, it?s 60-40 he?ll win. If he?s 80 or even 90 percent, baka alanganin. If both fighters are 100 percent, it?ll be 50-50.?
Penalosa said if Donaire lands his left hook, it will be lights out for Inoue. ?Donaire is very talented but Inoue has power, too,? he said. ?The one who connects the knockout punch first will be the winner. Donaire has fought several world champions so that experience will go a long way. I think Donaire?s corner will be prepared with Kenny Adams and his father Dodong. I?m looking forward to a great fight.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Five stitches for Donaire’s cut
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 17 Mar 2026Roberto Gomez Training Camp Notes
Tue, 17 Mar 2026Esneth Domingo Trains at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles Ahead of His US Debut
Tue, 17 Mar 2026Tatay Digong Birthday Run on March 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 17 Mar 202612-0 prospect Marco Romero to headline This Friday in Independence, Missouri
Tue, 17 Mar 2026700 athletes on March 21-22 at UM
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 17 Mar 2026United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
Mon, 16 Mar 2026Mexico wins 2 bronze medals at World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 16 Mar 2026Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
Sun, 15 Mar 2026WBC top contender Canoy returns to Davao with Unanimous Decision Victory
Sun, 15 Mar 2026John Randall Peralta: The Future of the Philippine Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 15 Mar 2026Alvin “Felemon” Dologuin Claims Win in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand (PHOTOS)
Sun, 15 Mar 2026Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Mar 2026USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six
Sun, 15 Mar 2026Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 15 Mar 2026