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:
Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
Sat, 19 Apr 2025JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
Sat, 19 Apr 2025June 8: Junto Nakatani-Ryosuke Nishida Bantamweight Unification Showdown Headlines Tokyo Super Card Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Thursday’s Action at the 2025 USA Boxing International Open Concludes
Sat, 19 Apr 2025H2O Sylve Returns to the Ring April 26th At Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta Amado Vargas Is Co-Main Live On BLK PRIME
Sat, 19 Apr 2025FM Arca bounces back, defeats IM Laohawirapap of Thailand in 6th round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 19 Apr 2025