Donaire says let's do it again
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 10 Nov 2019
Nonito Donaire, Jr. said yesterday he’s open to fighting newly-crowned super WBA/IBF bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in a rematch if that’s what Ringstar Sports CEO Richard Schaefer has in mind for the future as the undefeated Japanese is penciled for two bouts in the US and one in Japan next year under the Top Rank banner.
“If a rematch is on the table, let’s do it again,” said Donaire who engaged Inoue in a 12-round war and lost a unanimous decision before 20,000 fans at the Saitama Super Arena last Thursday. “A lot of people are asking why not do a rematch? If it’s something the Inoue camp wants, it would be my honor to accept in a polite way. I think it would be a heckuva fight, the second time around.”
Donaire, wife Rachel and their two sons are arriving here from Japan today and will visit Boracay and Bohol then fly to Manila to celebrate his 37th birthday on Saturday. The family will leave for home in Las Vegas on Nov. 21.
Donaire said after the grueling bout, he went to a nearby hospital for a check-up on his own. He underwent a CT-Scan and was given a clean bill of health. “My brain is good and healthy,” said Donaire. “I wanted to make sure I was OK so I decided to go to the hospital for an examination. All good, no fractures, no brain damage, no cuts, nothing serious, just some bruising.”
Donaire said he lost to Inoue fair and square. “It was a fair decision,” he said. “The fight was close and the knockdown in the 11th round was crucial. Inoue threw a left, it grazed my elbow but hit me in the stomach just as I breathed in. It wasn’t a hard shot but the timing was just right. Inoue threw harder punches earlier. I think Inoue was as surprised as I was that I got hurt badly, not by the power but by the timing of where and when the punch landed. I was out of breath so I decided to take a knee. I figured if I had fought on and stood, he would’ve pounced on me and one shot here or there could be damaging. It was a dangerous situation so I went down to recover from the shot. Then, I got up and battled back.”
Donaire said Inoue’s power wasn’t like Nicholas Walters’ because he’s in a different division. “Walters was a lot bigger than me and we fought in the featherweight division,” he said. “You can’t compare the power of those two fighters. Inoue has good power but I could take it. I didn’t get tired. The body shot took a toll on me and that’s why I wasn’t as aggressive in the last three rounds.”
It could’ve ended in the ninth round when Donaire staggered Inoue with a brutal right. Inoue’s legs turned rubbery and he desperately clinched to regain his balance. “My mistake was I waited for the opportunity to finish him off when he was hurt,” said Donaire. “I should’ve created the opportunity instead and it cost me the fight. Right off the bat, Inoue tried to go after me then he felt my power. I wanted to box him but it was difficult because as the fight went on, he wouldn’t engage.”
Donaire said he followed the game plan laid out by his trainers Kenny Adams and father Nonito, Sr. “They told me they’re proud of me for fighting the way I did,” he said. “Kenny wanted me to land the right more which I did. Papang wanted me to bang the body which I also did. I went toe-to-toe with Inoue and for the most part, it was a stalemate.”
Donaire said he’s not done fighting. “I’ll sit down with Richard when I get back to Las Vegas,” he said. “I’ll do what he thinks is best for my career. He’s a top guy in boxing and he knows what’s best, if I stay in the bantamweight division or move up. Everything will depend on the opportunities out there and I’m excited to explore the options available.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weigh-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 2025SMITH VS. GERMAIN WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Fri, 18 Apr 2025WBO #2 WBA #2 Mikiah Kreps on Weight in Seneca Niagara
Fri, 18 Apr 2025UFC® RETURNS TO PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY WITH BLOCKBUSER CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER
Fri, 18 Apr 2025AMATEUR HEAVYWEIGHT SENSATION LEO ATANG SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Fri, 18 Apr 2025