DRAMA IN SAITAMA: SUMIO YAMADA PHOTOS
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 08 Nov 2019
Globe-trotting photographer Sumio Yamada captured some of dramatic moments of the 'Drama in Saitama' as the now unified IBF/WBA world bantamweight champion and winner of the World Boxing Super Series Muhammad Ali Trophy Naoya 'The Monster' Inoue prevailed over future Hall of Famer four division world champion Nonito Donaire Jnr in an enthralling encounter at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan Thursday night, Nov. 7.
The younger, faster and more powerful Inoue got the better of Donaire in the first half of the contest specially in the fifth round where the celebrated Japanese puncher beat the Filipino Flash to the punch almost at will. Judge Octavio Rodrigues of Panama scored the round 10-8 in favor of Inoue. Although Inoue was dominant, Donaire inflicted a cut above Inoue's right eyebrow in the second round that cause blood to pour at Inoue's face throughout the contest.
Donaire has his moments in the fight.
Donaire rallied in the 8th and in the 9th round, he staggered Inoue with a powerful overhand right. Inoue had to hold Donaire to survive the round. With his confidence back, Donaire was looking for an opening to finish his opponent in the championship rounds. Inoue, who had not gone beyond the 10th round since 2016, looked tired and ready for taking and appeared the fight had slipped from his hands.
Inoue delivers the left that drops Donaire.
But as fate would have it, it was the Inoue who turned the tables on the Filipino and came back strong to snatch all the remaining rounds highlighted by a vicious left to Donaire's body in the penultimate round that sent the former fighter of the year reeling to the canvas. It was a miracle Donaire was able to finish the fight on his feet.
The fight delivered as advertised and definitely should be considered as a candidate for the fight of the year. There was no shame in Donaire's loss even as many experts gave him little change to survive Inoue's powerful punches. For Inoue, 26, with his fast hands, power and skill, he will continue to become a terror in the bantamweight and super bantamweight divisions for years to come.
Inoue raises the Muhammad Ali trophy after Thursday's scintillating victory over Donaire.
The judges' scorecards.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pakistan's Sameer Khan Set to Battle for UBO Youth World Title in Brico Santig’s Sep 27 Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 16 Sep 2025Crawford Not the First Lightweight to Distinguish Himself at Super Middleweight
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 16 Sep 2025SAMBO Pilipinas is Southern NSA of the Year 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Sep 2025Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh To headline historic “Legacy Nights” Inaugural Pro Boxing event in El Salvador
Tue, 16 Sep 2025Smarts over power
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Sep 2025HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION RICKY HATTON
Tue, 16 Sep 2025Kazakhstan tops the medal table at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 thanks to victory in the final bout of the competition
Tue, 16 Sep 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 13: JOE FRAZIER’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS AN AMATEUR FIGHTER
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 15 Sep 2025A New King, A New Challenger: Turki Alalshikh Proposes Crawford-Benavidez While Canelo Alvarez Faces Defeat with Humility
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 15 Sep 2025Highly Questionable Title Eliminator
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 15 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez Earns Silver Medal at Inaugural World Boxing Championships
Mon, 15 Sep 202521-year-old Filipino wins at Germany rapid chess tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 15 Sep 2025Nagoya Nightmare: Naoya Inoue Notches One-Sided Decision over Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Mon, 15 Sep 2025Inoue’s Philippine Connection: Which Pinoy Super Bantamweight Could Challenge “The Monster?”
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 15 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez Advances to the Finals at the World Boxing Championships Perez Set to Face Chinese Taipei’s Hsiao-Wen Huang for 54-Kilogram World Title
Mon, 15 Sep 2025