Philippines, 25 Apr 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Trilogy on Donaire's mind


PhilBoxing.com




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:

  • Suganob to defend title on April 30
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 25 Apr 2024
  • HE TURKI ALALSHIKH ANNOUNCES RIYADH SEASON TO HOST FIRST OVERSEAS EVENT IN LOS ANGELES AS CRAWFORD TAKES ON MADRIMOV FOR WORLD SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT TITLES
    , Thu, 25 Apr 2024
  • Brandon Adams Destroys Ismael Villareal in Three Rounds as Part of Overtime Tournamant
    , Thu, 25 Apr 2024
  • HEAVYWEIGHTS GEORGE ARIAS AND SKYLAR LACY BATTLE TO EXCITING DRAW ON BROADWAY BOXING
    , Thu, 25 Apr 2024
  • Pro Debuting Nathan Lugo Destroys Robert Lartigue in One Round
    , Thu, 25 Apr 2024
  • Integrity Fighter Management Presents a Big Night of Professional Boxing This Saturday, April 27th at The Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington PA.
    , Thu, 25 Apr 2024
  • Junior Bantamweight Phenom Steven “Kid Dynamite” Navarro Signs with Top Rank
    , Thu, 25 Apr 2024
  • MCGRAIL: LEACH IS MUST-WIN COMING OFF MY LOSS
    , Wed, 24 Apr 2024
  • The Past Week in Action 23 April 2024: King Ryan! Three Knockdowns Turn Haney's Dream Into a Nightmare
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 24 Apr 2024
  • Bucks, Clippers Drop Games to Pacers, Mavs
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 24 Apr 2024
  • JAIME MUNGUIA LOS ANGELES MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Wed, 24 Apr 2024
  • Undefeated Heavyweight Dainier Pero Set to Shine This Friday on DAZN
    , Wed, 24 Apr 2024
  • IM Bagamasbad, NM Clarito Jr. lead UST chessers in IIEE rapid chess tilt on May 1
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Apr 2024
  • Luis Nery: “If Mike Tyson Can Lose His Unbeaten Record at Tokyo Dome, So Can Naoya Inoue!”
    , Wed, 24 Apr 2024
  • Bulldogs prevail in Santa Maria
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Apr 2024
  • Wise Owl Boxing Fighters have a Knockout Weekend
    , Tue, 23 Apr 2024
  • Sampson Boxing Signs Undefeated Super Bantamweight Bryan Acosta to an Exclusive Multi-Year Promotional Contract
    , Tue, 23 Apr 2024
  • Will Manny fight again?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 23 Apr 2024
  • Almost But Not Quite for Lakers, Sixers as Nuggets, Knicks Escape With Close Wins
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 23 Apr 2024
  • SINSUAT NETFEST: Lim survives Aquino for 21U boys title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Apr 2024
  • 1st CNES Chess tourney set for May 1
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 23 Apr 2024
  • Pacquiao Beats the Weight Bullies and the Travesty of Day Before the Fight Weighin
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 23 Apr 2024
  • Robert Guerrero III Secures Spectacular Victory with First Round Knockout in Tijuana Bout
    , Tue, 23 Apr 2024
  • MUHSIN CASON TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Tue, 23 Apr 2024
  • Tickets on Sale for a Stacked Night of Boxing at Tropicana Atlantic City on May 11
    , Tue, 23 Apr 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.