DONAIRE ARRIVES IN JAPAN
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 24 May 2022
WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jnr of the Philippines has arrived in Japan Tuesday ahead of his mouth-watering rematch with WBA/IBF champion Naoya Inoue on June 7 at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, the same venue where the two stars engaged in an unforgettable combat on Nov. 7, 2019 for the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) finale that later was voted as 2019 fight of the year.
The undefeated Inoue (22-0, 19KOs) has since fought Jason Moloney of Australia, Michael Dasmarinas of the Philippines and Aran Dipaen of Thailand to keep his belts. Donaire (46-6-0, 28KOs) meanwhile captured the WBC title from Frenchman Nordine Oubaali on May 29, 2021 and later defended it successfully against compatriot Reymart Gaballo last December.
The call for the rematch was loud and just natural for the two protagonists as their first fight was a barn burner where Inoue was stretched to his limits and was rocked by Donaire several times during the fight and specially in the 9th canto where the Japanese almost went down. Inoue dug deep and scored a knockdown in the 11th round with a wicked shot to the liver that sent Donaire grimacing in pain in the canvas. Inoue sustained a cut on his right eye brow early in the fight and was later diagnosed with fractures on his eye socket.
Inoue who at 29 years is still in his prime, will be facing a 39-year-old rival in Donaire who has yet to show signs that father time has caught up with him with two stunning knockout victories in his last two fights.
Donaire has come to Japan to prove a point. “If Naoya thinks, Donaire is same as in our first encounter, that’s wrong. I’m quite different as I can punch him from any angle in any position now. My skills and motivation have improved a lot. You’ll see,” Donaire told Fight News upon his arrival.
Let's circle the date - June 7 - and expect to see another classic of a fight between these two great fighters of our era.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
IBA fully supports and endorses sex testing initiatives and invites all boxing bodies to embrace the same
Mon, 02 Jun 2025OKC's SGA Vs. Indiana's Haliburton: The First Time in Decades Two Opposing Talented Shooting Guards of the Same Size and Lethality Clash in NBA Finals
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 02 Jun 2025Knockout Punch: Cebuano AJ Paciones Powers Through to TKO Victory in Thailand, Edges Closer to World Title Showdown
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 02 Jun 2025Thunderdome 50 Results: Perth’s Francis Chua captures WBC glory
Mon, 02 Jun 2025PH chess wizard 8-year-old Marius Constante shines in Metropolitan Chess Club Standard Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Jun 2025Carl Jammes Martin Shines in Dominant US Debut Victory in Las Vegas
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Yes (Pa)Cers, It's Indiana in the NBA Finals, Smothers New York Knicks in Game 6, 125-108
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 01 Jun 2025GM Quizon rules 1st Bino Car Rental Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Pacquiao vs. Barrios Press Conference: A Clash of Eras Takes Center Stage in Las Vegas (Photos)
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Viva Promotions chief Brendan Gibbons slowly stepping out of his famous dad's shadow
By Homer D. Sayson, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Stacked Card Unveiled for Manny Pacquiao’s Highly Anticipated Return
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 31 May 2025BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV DEFEATS DARIUS FULGHUM IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THRILLER
Sat, 31 May 2025AFM Benoni Wabe Champ in the IIEE National Midyear Convention Tournament in CDO
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 31 May 2025Bektemir Melikuziev Edges Darius Fulghum in Thrilling WBA Title Eliminator
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 31 May 2025A Bridge to Plant versus Charlo is the theme for PBC/Amazon Card on Saturday
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 May 2025