Trilogy on Donaire's mind
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 20 Nov 2019
Nonito Donaire, Jr. isn’t just conjuring visions of a rematch with super WBA/IBF bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue. He’s thinking a trilogy would be one for the books. Two weeks ago, they figured in what had to be a candidate for Fight of the Year before 20,000 fans at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan as Inoue floored Donaire with a liver shot in the 11th round and scored a win by a unanimous decision.
From Japan, Donaire, wife Rachel and their two sons Jarel, 6 and Logan, 4 went to Boracay and Bohol for a family vacation. They’re now in Manila. They leave tomorrow to return home to Las Vegas.
While Inoue isn’t sure when he’ll be back in the gym, Donaire said he’s ready to roll. Inoue suffered a fracture in his right orbital bone, another fracture in his right cheekbone, a broken nose and a right eyelid cut that took five stitches to close. Donaire went to a hospital in Saitama right after the fight for a voluntary CT-Scan and received a clean bill of health. He had bruising around both eyes but was otherwise, unmarked.
When he arrives in Las Vegas, Donaire will go back to the gym, do drills and shadow box. Early next year, he’ll resume sparring. His next fight will depend on what Ringstar Sports CEO Richard Schaefer recommends as the best option.
“The Inoue fight was my hardest ever and I enjoyed every moment of it,” said Donaire. “I think a rematch would be even more exciting. It was a fair decision but a close fight. Inoue had never been hurt before, never been cut, never had to hold and never been pushed to the limit. He’s still healing while I’m back to 100 percent. I’ve never engaged anyone in a trilogy before but this would be an unbelievable trilogy if ever. We could do an immediate rematch or we could do separate fights, win then do a rematch. Of course, I’d have to win the rematch to force a third fight. I think if and when we fight again, it’ll be a different story.”
Donaire, 37, said Inoue could be the best fighter he’s ever faced. “He’s got great power like (Vic) Darchinyan,” said Donaire. “He stunned me a few times with power shots but I was never dazed. My legs held up and that’s why he never went all-out to attack. If he saw my legs buckle, he would’ve attacked. In the 11th, he got me with a liver shot that slipped under my elbow, close to the solar plexus. I was breathing in so when he hit me, I lost my breath. I was in pain, I couldn’t breathe. I decided to take a knee. I thought of just staying on my feet so I wouldn’t give up a 10-8 round but I figured in a close fight, I couldn’t win a decision anyway. So I went down. I took my time and got up at nine. The referee (Ernie Sharif) didn’t even bother to ask if I was okay. He saw in my eyes, I wasn’t badly hurt. I recovered and hurt Inoue before the round ended.”
Donaire said he blew the opportunity to stop Inoue in the ninth. “I landed a counter right,” he said. “He grabbed me. Instead of creating a situation to put him away, I waited for the right opening and it gave him a chance to recover. But I did what (trainer) Kenny (Adams) wanted me to do. I threw my right a lot which Inoue didn’t expect. I also did what Papang (his father Nonito, Sr.) told me to do, to bang the body. I give credit and respect to Inoue for taking all my shots. I hurt him but he never quit.”
Donaire said Inoue changed tactics early in the fight. “He was aggressive at the start then when he felt my power, he adjusted and started to box,” said Donaire. “I know what to do next time. Inoue’s previous opponents didn’t last long because they were too scared of his power. I showed I’m not scared of his power. But I think if we do a rematch, he’ll be scared of mine.”
Photo: Nonito Donaire, Jr. with sons Jarel and Logan in Alabang yesterday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Sun, 01 Mar 2026Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
Sun, 01 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
Sun, 01 Mar 2026Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
Sun, 01 Mar 2026Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Sun, 01 Mar 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 01 Mar 2026IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 01 Mar 2026DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 28 Feb 2026‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
Sat, 28 Feb 2026