
INOUE DEMOLISHES DONAIRE IN TWO ROUNDS
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 07 Jun 2022

Japanese star and pound for pound boxer Naoya Inoue demolished Filipino boxing great Nonito Donaire Jr in two rounds to give closure and an exclamation mark to their bantamweight rivalry at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan Tuesday night broadcast live on ESPN. Inoue added the WBC bantamweight title to his WBA and IBF belts as the division's unified champion.
From the getgo, Inoue put Donaire at bay with his stiff jabs as the Filipino could not get an opportunity to counter with his lethal lefts. Towards the end of the round, Inoue detonated a short right to the middle catching Donaire to the chin sending the 39-year-old veteran to the canvas for the first time. As Donaire got up, the bell sounded to end the round.
In the second round, Inoue, smelling blood, pressed the action and threw loaded punches many hit their marks, at one point staggering Donaire across the ring. The brave Filipino tried to mix it up throwing caution to the wind but another lethal combination by Inoue sent Donaire to the canvas for the second time badly hurt. Referee Michael Griffin did not bother to count and waved off the fight for a stunning victory by the Japanese.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Weights from Trenton, NJ
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
Wed, 14 Jan 2026“No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 14 Jan 2026Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Wed, 14 Jan 2026Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026