| |
|
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:
Suarez closer to title shot By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 19 Apr 2024World Title Challenger Brandon Adams Weighs in for OTX Junior Middleweight Tournament with Ismael Villareal , Fri, 19 Apr 2024Bangkok Chess Open: Three Pinoys Still in Contention as Arca Loses Again By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 19 Apr 2024HALL OF FAMER JULIAN “THE HAWK” JACKSON RETURNING TO CANASTOTA FOR 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEN , Fri, 19 Apr 20242 Division World Champion Oscar Valdez Confirmed for Seventh Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 4, in Las Vegas , Fri, 19 Apr 2024Former interim world bantamweight champion Reymart Gaballo is eagerly anticipating his upcoming fight against Mexican boxer Kenbun Torres on May 10 at the Midas Hotel and Casino in Manila. , Thu, 18 Apr 2024Lim is top seed in 1st Daneea Balabaran Sinsuat Tennis Championship at Toril By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 18 Apr 2024Cagayan ready to host PCAP Champions League By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 18 Apr 2024Tsutsumi KOs former WBA super champion "Chemito" Moreno in Japan (Video) By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 18 Apr 2024Sixers Edge Heat for 7th, to Face #2 NY in Playoffs; Bulls Eliminate Hawks By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 18 Apr 2024WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR TOMORROW'S BROADWAY BOXING FROM THE 2300 ARENA IN PHILADELPHIA, PA , Thu, 18 Apr 2024IIEE Metro Central Invitational Chess tourney set for May 1 By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 18 Apr 2024HANEY VS. GARCIA MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES , Thu, 18 Apr 2024Pierce Egan, Sr. In Memoriam, 1772-1849 By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 18 Apr 2024June 8: Xander Zayas-Patrick Teixeira Junior Middleweight Showdown Kicks Off Puerto Rican Day Parade Weekend at The Theater at MSG LIVE on ESPN , Thu, 18 Apr 2024Arca bounces back, wins again By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 18 Apr 2024Unbeaten Super Lightweight Kurt Scoby Signs Exclusive Glove Deal with ENGAGE , Thu, 18 Apr 2024Macs post 2nd win, ISD Pacman triumphs By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 18 Apr 2024Paradero leaves for Masbate to fight Malupague By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Apr 2024Former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis To Attend Broadway Boxing Tomorrow Night at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia , Wed, 17 Apr 2024WBO Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Seventh Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 4, in Las Vegas , Wed, 17 Apr 2024The Past Week in Action 16 April 2024: David Papot Wins WBO Global Welter Title; Anderson Outpoints Merhy; Ajagba Edges Vianello By Eric Armit, , Wed, 17 Apr 2024LA Lakers Beat Pelicans for 7th Seed, Secure Rematch With #2 Denver Nuggets; Kings Eliminate Warriors to Face Pelicans for 8th Seed By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 17 Apr 2024Gerald Lumberio rules Tigaon chess tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Apr 2024Facularin Faces Pagaling in Bantamweight Rumble on April 21 in Manolo Fortich By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Apr 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|