No mismatch to show in Saitama
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 08 Nov 2019
Japan’s Naoya Inoue, the Monster, readily swore he needs to get stronger.
This was immediately after he scored an excruciating unanimous decision victory over battle-tested Filipino warrior Nonito Donaire in Saitama, Japan Thursday evening.
Inoue had been installed a 10-1 favorite by several bookmakers, while majority of experts predicted a stoppage inside six rounds.
A full-house crowd came to the capacity 20,000 Saitama Super Arena expecting a spectacular conquest by Inoue. The fight, a compelling contest of skill, power and strategy for the world super bantamweight championship, was listed a strong candidate for fight of the year.
**
Inoue, 26, figured in his toughest fight, his string of knockout wins cut at eight. He now has a record of 19 wins and 16 KOs.
It was a tense and exciting ring war, with the highly favored Japanese suffering a cut over the eye in the second round. The 36-year-old Donaire gave it his all and succeeded in pushing Inoue to the limit.
Inoue was rocked in the 10th, but connected with a well-placed dagger punch to the body that sent Donaire reeling in pain and sinking on a knee in the 11th. That could well be the deciding punch of the memorable bout.
Inoue called Donaire a true champion.
“Powerful veteran Nonito Donaire rocked Inoue and blooded the Japanese star and made him work harder than he had done in any of his first 18 fights,” said Keith Idec of Boxing.Scene.
Dan Rafael of ESPN.Com said Donaire figured in one of his best performances in years despite the defeat.
**
It was a glowing performance by Donaire who proudly upheld Filipino pride in world boxing, following the shameful fall of ranked Romero Duno in Las Vegas last Sunday.
Inoue had hoped to gallop straight to greatness with an expected stoppage of Donaire. The 26-year-old Japanese has vowed to work harder to achieve his dream of becoming the best.
Donaire has visibly firmed up his future enrollment in the Boxing Hall of Fame with his amazing stand against the highly rated Inoue, who took home the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) Muhammad Ali Trophy.
Inoue has been signed up by Top Rank to a multi-fight promotional deal.
“There was Rumble in the Jungle, the Thrilla in Manila, and now the Drama in Saitama,” swooned a top WBSS executive.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Legane fights on August 2 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Jul 2026"The Greatest" Muhammad Ali biographical mini series to stream on Prime Video starting November 4
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 08 Jul 2026Ramon Cardenas-Leonardo Carrillo, plus two more 10-round fights added to Lester Martinez-Luka Plantic card
Wed, 08 Jul 202656th Annual NABF Convention Concludes with Resounding Success in Savannah, Georgia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 08 Jul 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev: IOC had no choice but to accept lifting the restrictions on Russian athletes
Wed, 08 Jul 2026Martin dares Inoue, Casimero
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 07 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 6 JULY 2026: Abdullah Mason Stops Albert Bell in 12; Carrington Outpoints Palacios; Wins by Mossely, Sadjo, El Hadri.
By Eric Armit, Tue, 07 Jul 2026Quiñonero to fight again on August 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 07 Jul 2026MannyPay Global Launches U.S. Merchant Processing Division to Help Small Businesses Lower Payment Costs and Accelerate Growth
Tue, 07 Jul 2026Murat Gassiev to face Peter Kadiru for the WBA Heavyweight world title
Tue, 07 Jul 2026Bansilan, Tan rule Faith Run
Tue, 07 Jul 2026Teremoana and new Matchroom Boxing signing Zerafa confirmed for big August 12 card in Australia
Mon, 06 Jul 2026Jayson Vayson Returns to World Rankings
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 06 Jul 2026Yor beats Salisad in technical decision, wants rematch
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 06 Jul 2026War, Chess, and Writs: Why Mayweather vs. Pacquiao II is Postponed, Not Scrapped
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 06 Jul 2026