INOUE HAS DEFEATED FOUR FILIPINO BOXERS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 26 Jan 2020
WBA and IBF bantamweight champion Naoya "The Monster" Inoue of Zama, Kanagawa, Japan is slated to face WBO bantamweight title holder Johnriel "Quadro Alas" Casimero of Ormoc City, Leyte. In his 19 undefeated fights with 16 KOs so far, the three-division world champion has defeated four Filipino opponents, three by stoppage and one via the distance.
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In his professional debut, Inoue defeated Crison Omayao (24-22-5, 8 KOs) of Valencia, Bukidnon on October 2, 2012 by 4th round KO. He stopped Jerson Mancio (18-6-3, 9 KOs) of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur by 5th round TKO on December 6, 2013 to capture the vacant OPBF light-flyweight title.
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He demolished Warlito Parrenas (26-10-0, 23 KOs) of Cadiz, Negros Occidental by 2nd round TKO on December 29, 2015. The referee halted the fight in the second round, after Parrenas was floored twice, handing Inoue a win by stoppage. With the victory, he defended his WBO junior-bantamweight title.
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Then during his latest bout, he won over Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (40-6-0, 26 KOs) of Talibon, Bohol on November 7, 2019 by unanimous decision with scores of 116–111, 117–109 and 114–113. He retained his IBF and The Ring bantamweight titles and wrested Donaire's WBA (Super) bantamweight title. It was the World Boxing Super Series bantamweight final.
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The Inoue-Donaire encounter was a very exciting match with a display of magnificent fighting heart and tremendous endurance by both ring gladiators, and was voted by the Boxing Writers Association of America as Fight of the Year. They exchanged punishing blows in the first half of the fight. A devastating left hook from Donaire inflected a dangerous cut above Inoue's right eye which blurred his vision. Inoue however was not threatened and kept retaliating with solid punches.
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In the fifth round Inoue had Donaire in trouble, but was saved by the bell. However, the 36-year-old Filipino showcased a lot of veteran savvy and began to hurt Inoue more in the second half of the fight, especially in the ninth round where he connected a devastating right hand that bloodied Inoue's face. At the eleventh round, Inoue dropped Donaire with a staggering left hook to the liver, but he got up at a count of 9 and fought relentlessly until the final bell.
Inoue throws the body shot that downs Donaire.
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Inoue was awarded the Muhammad Ali Trophy by Fighting Harada, the former world flyweight and bantamweight champion and currently the president of the Japanese Boxing Association. At a post fight interview, Inoue revealed that he suffered a fractured orbital bone in the second round which made his eyes see double vision, and Donaire's punch also broke his nose.
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“Donaire is a very, very strong opponent,” Inoue said. “I had double vision starting in the second round. But I’m very proud of myself and I believe I have a bright future.” When asked about his comment regarding Donaire recovering from the knockdown in the 11th round, Inoue said, “Donaire was a true champion. He’s very strong. I was victorious, but I’m not the greatest of all time yet. I have to get stronger. I will keep fighting, and I want to be the strongest of all time.”
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