Philippines, 16 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Sensational Naoya Inoue Crushes Emmanuel Rodriguez, Nonito Donaire is Next!


PhilBoxing.com





On fire and thrilling fans once again, "The Monster" Naoya Inoue crushed and stopped Puerto Rican world titlist Emmanuel Rodriguez in a fast and explosive round two knockout win to become the unified WBA/IBF Bantamweight World Champion Saturday, May 18, at the SSE Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland.

Naoya Inoue's game excited fans with his quick hands, awesome defensive and attacking moves, and his truly engaging combating mode.

His sensational win over Rodriguez propels Inoue (18-0, 16 KO's) to a great final of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), where the exciting 26-year-old Japanese will battle veteran Filipino WBA Super Champion Nonito Donaire, 36, in one of the most anticipated bantamweight title matches in recent memory.



Three times Naoya Inoue rocked down his Puerto Rican foe, a former undefeated IBF champ, whom he forced to go through the roughest, most punishing minutes of his life.

The first knockdown was a perfectly-placed left hook thrown by Inoue during a furious exchanged that landed sharp and powerful on the chin of Rodriguez, seating him down roughly in the middle of the ring.

The brave Puerto Rican -- a warrior from the boxing-loving Island that has produced iconic world champions -- found the strength to get on his feet and listen to his count, though it was visible that huge damage has been done... and the round was still young.



Then, a colossal blow to the mid-section impacted the taller Rodriguez (19-1, 12 KO's) airing him out, sending him backwards and down, further prolonging his agony, at which point the Boricuan fighter looked at his corner seemingly trying to say "no mas."

Yet, the fight went on.

Naoya Inoue's brutal demolition job indeed continued, this time with a relentless attack on ropes, near Rodriguez' corner, where the man from Puerto Rico just went down, absolutely beaten up with blood emanating from his nostril.



A fantastic, scintillating victory for Naoya Inoue.

Not only has three-division world champion Naoya Inoue claimed another world title strap, advanced to the great final of the WBSS, and won the enthusiasm of so many more fans, but he has sharply ascended to the planet's P4P list, with many boxing fans already pondering if "The Monster" is as sensational or more than Lomachenko.

While the question lingers, next is "The Monster" Naoya Inoue vs "The Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire in the great final WBSS later this year, fans wondering who would win.


The author of this column Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and by whatsapp/viber/wechat: +639184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Deaño to fight for ABF super feather title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Former champ Andy Ruiz could return against Huggie Fury in 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Mexican legend Jackie Nava inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 15 Jun 2026
  • Ronnie Alvarez Dominates Filip Stankovic, Scores Seventh-Round TKO at Desert Diamond Arena
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • New York Knicks win the NBA Championship with historic comeback
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian superstar Nataly Delgado wins 115lb female WBA world championship in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle to make historic United States debut in Miami
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Laurente remains undefeated, TKOs Aguan in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Foundation stone laid for the first-ever IBA arena in Dushanbe
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Jerick Faeldonia Wins One Chess Movement Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Bam Rodriguez vs Antonio Vargas & Martinez vs Cardenas Preview and Picks
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Popper vs. Seldon Jr. Official Weights for June 13 in Atlantic City
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • GLENDALE, AZ FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR BAM VS VARGAS – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Amir Anderson Meets Jonas Sylvain in Battle of Unbeatens on DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Munsayac, Celones get FMA award
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Weigh-In Results for Sanman 101: Laurente Eyes Home Victory
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • Arleah Cassandra Sapuan of Valencia, Negros finishes ninth in Las Vegas chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF BAM VS. VARGAS IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • IBA President warns Olympic movement will fade unless IOC rewards athletes and reforms now
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • VARGAS: BEATING BAM MAKES ME ‘THE MAN’
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of June 20 Defense Against Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Sanman 101 boxing event to push through in General Santos
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian female champ star Nataly Delgado ready to beat Artiga for WBA title in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 11 Jun 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.