Philippines, 07 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:

  • Casimero stops Nery in 4th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Edward Vazquez keeps title hopes alive by winning razor-thin unanimous decision over Daniel Lugo in Main Event of ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • LABAN PILIPINAS! Kenneth Llover Ready to KO His Way to a World Title Shot
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Nery Does It Again: Overweight, But Casimero Says Let’s Fight!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan for IBF Lightweight World Title June 13 in Glendale, AZ
    , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS, FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER FOR PADLEY VS FIAZ – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr.: From a Champion’s Son to Heavyweight Headliner
    , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Mexican fighter ¨Artillero¨Rodriguez passes away after suffering brain injury on weekend fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • NEGROS OCCIDENTAL PILLARS CROWNED SBA SEASON 2 CHAMPIONS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Weights from Japan: Llover - 117.7 lbs., Angeletti - 117.5 lbs.
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Antonio Vargas Locked in for Career-Defining Title Defense Against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as Training Camp Winds Down
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Weights From ‘Vazquez vs. Lugo’ Event from College Park Center in Arlington, TX, & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS JOSH PADLEY AND AQIB FIAZ FACE OFF
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • “I would not say Yoka is more dangerous.” Murat Gassiev's coach Kadushin on boxer's training camp
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Homecoming for super middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia to be showcased June 20 on Kingsley Ibeh vs. Dante Stone card in Phoenix
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Amateur Standout Kayla "The Truth" Gomez Set for Professional Debut on MF Pro's "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Tancontian to lead PH team in Sambo Asia-Oceania
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Clarion to fight for WBC Youth World super flyweight title in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 04 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Steal Game 1 in San Antonio 105-95
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 04 Jun 2026
  • LAMONT “THE REAPER” ROACH JR. AND WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO BATTLE FOR THE WBC LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Thu, 04 Jun 2026
  • Ramirez vs. Richards - Weigh In Results
    , Thu, 04 Jun 2026
  • Louisville and Boxing World commemorated 10th Anniversary of Muhammad Ali death
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 04 Jun 2026
  • Sampson Lewkowicz: Boxing’s Picasso
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 03 Jun 2026
  • BARRY HEARN OBE TO FUND 10 BRAND NEW APPRENTICESHIP ROLES THANKS TO MATCHROOM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND COACH CORE
    , Wed, 03 Jun 2026
  • Olongapo to host National Age Group Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 03 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.