Philippines, 03 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Donaire seeking greater dangers


PhilBoxing.com




AFTER securing a slot in the final of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), Nonito Donaire said he would be at ringside on May 18 to scout his next opponent. Japanese star Naoya Inoue and Emmanuel Rodriguez of Puerto Rico, both unbeaten, clash in the world bantamweight semifinal in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Inoue-Rodriguez fight promises to be terribly tough, an ultimate test, for both warriors.

But Donaire, 36, said he?s giving Inoue the edge.

Inoue, called the Monster, is a very dangerous opponent.
?We?ve an unwritten respect that we?ll be facing each other in the final fight,? Donaire said.

**

Donaire, a four-division world champion and 2012 Fighter of the Year, was quick to state that his projected championship fight against Inoue would be ?the best against the best.?

There are more than a couple of reasons why Donaire is seeking a difficult and dangerous test while trying to come back as a boxing superstar and pound-for-pound top contender.

For one, Donaire made it to the WBSS bantamweight final via an irregular route.

He scored risk-free win in the quarterfinals after the previously unbeaten Ryan Burnett surrendered in the fourth round, victim of a freak back injury. It was Donaire?s first bout as a bantamweight since 2011.

In Donaire?s WBSS semifinal outing over the weekend, he scored an expected stoppage over the defenseless Stephon Young, a last-minute substitute for Zolani Tete, who quit ahead allegedly due to shoulder tendinitis.

**

After his trouble-free trip to the final, nothing less than a crucial clash against a top-rated opponent would help bring Donaire back to the top of the boxing world.

Both Inoue and Rodriguez are amazing warriors.

But Inoue, Donaire?s main choice for a title foe, is 17-0, with 15 knockouts. He barged into the elite bantamweight bracket with a first-round stoppage of former 118-lbs titlist Jamie McDonald. He followed this scintillating win with a 1st round KO over ex-champ Juan Carlos Payano.

Inoue, with his power and skillset, is being given the big edge to rule the WBSS bantamweight championship.

As the underdog, Donaire could redeem himself from the forgettable slips in his career, when he got crushed silly by Jamaica?s Nicolas Walters, before being humiliated by Cuba?s Guillermo Rigondeaux.

The twin defeats practically dropped Donaire into the world boxing dustbin.

Surviving the great dangers and topping the WBSS championship series should help firm up Donaire?s badly shaken Hall of Fame career.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS 
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.