Philippines, 18 Mar 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


No mismatch to show in Saitama


PhilBoxing.com





Japan’s Naoya Inoue, the Monster, readily swore he needs to get stronger.

This was immediately after he scored an excruciating unanimous decision victory over battle-tested Filipino warrior Nonito Donaire in Saitama, Japan Thursday evening.

Inoue had been installed a 10-1 favorite by several bookmakers, while majority of experts predicted a stoppage inside six rounds.

A full-house crowd came to the capacity 20,000 Saitama Super Arena expecting a spectacular conquest by Inoue. The fight, a compelling contest of skill, power and strategy for the world super bantamweight championship, was listed a strong candidate for fight of the year.

**

Inoue, 26, figured in his toughest fight, his string of knockout wins cut at eight. He now has a record of 19 wins and 16 KOs.
It was a tense and exciting ring war, with the highly favored Japanese suffering a cut over the eye in the second round. The 36-year-old Donaire gave it his all and succeeded in pushing Inoue to the limit.

Inoue was rocked in the 10th, but connected with a well-placed dagger punch to the body that sent Donaire reeling in pain and sinking on a knee in the 11th. That could well be the deciding punch of the memorable bout.

Inoue called Donaire a true champion.

“Powerful veteran Nonito Donaire rocked Inoue and blooded the Japanese star and made him work harder than he had done in any of his first 18 fights,” said Keith Idec of Boxing.Scene.
Dan Rafael of ESPN.Com said Donaire figured in one of his best performances in years despite the defeat.

**

It was a glowing performance by Donaire who proudly upheld Filipino pride in world boxing, following the shameful fall of ranked Romero Duno in Las Vegas last Sunday.

Inoue had hoped to gallop straight to greatness with an expected stoppage of Donaire. The 26-year-old Japanese has vowed to work harder to achieve his dream of becoming the best.

Donaire has visibly firmed up his future enrollment in the Boxing Hall of Fame with his amazing stand against the highly rated Inoue, who took home the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) Muhammad Ali Trophy.

Inoue has been signed up by Top Rank to a multi-fight promotional deal.

“There was Rumble in the Jungle, the Thrilla in Manila, and now the Drama in Saitama,” swooned a top WBSS executive.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • The Past Week in Action 17 March 2025: Teraji Stops Akui to Unify WBA/WBC Belts; Olascuaga, Santiago Win in Japan; Ball Retires Doheny in 10
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 18 Mar 2025
  • Undefeated Filipino rising star Kenneth Llover takes on Japan’s Keita Kurihara for an epic boxing showdown
    , Tue, 18 Mar 2025
  • GEORGE KAMBOSOS JR TO FACE AUSTRALIAN RIVAL JAKE WYLLIE IN NEW MAIN EVENT THIS SATURDAY IN SYDNEY
    , Tue, 18 Mar 2025
  • Jamaine Ortiz Moves One Step Closer to a World Title with Dominant Win Over Yomar Alamo
    , Tue, 18 Mar 2025
  • Sunday Night Home Run: Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas/Rafael Espinoza-Edward Vazquez Championship Doubleheader to be Televised May 4 LIVE on ESPN
    , Tue, 18 Mar 2025
  • WORLD BOXING WELCOMES DECISION OF IOC EXECUTIVE BOARD TO PROPOSE BOXING FOR INCLUSION AT LA28
    , Tue, 18 Mar 2025
  • Ignacio Fernandez: The Iron-Fisted Warrior of Silay
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 17 Mar 2025
  • RP Blu Girls Recognized at PSC Women in Sports Awards
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 17 Mar 2025
  • Kayak is back in Sarbay Festival 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 17 Mar 2025
  • MENSA OR MAULER? SEAN O'BRADAIGH, NYU CLASS OF '25, TO MAKE PRO DEBUT ON UNDERCARD OF NYC'S BIGGEST IRISH BOXING EVENT. TODAY! AT THE GARDEN!
    , Mon, 17 Mar 2025
  • WFM Ruelle "Tawing" Canino rules National Age Group Chess Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 17 Mar 2025
  • Thunderdome 49: Josh Byrne claims state title glory
    , Sun, 16 Mar 2025
  • Wild, Wild West 2.0
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 16 Mar 2025
  • FILLER, LABUTIS, OI, AND MACIOL MARCH INTO SEMI-FINAL| 2025 EUROPEAN OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Sun, 16 Mar 2025
  • FORD FACES MATTICE IN ATLANTIC CITY
    , Sun, 16 Mar 2025
  • 10 nations into finals of the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš
    , Sun, 16 Mar 2025
  • WORLD NINEBALL TOUR HEADS TO FLORIDA FOR THE FIRST-EVER FLORIDA OPEN AT THE CARIBE ROYALE, 5-10 AUGUST 2025
    , Sun, 16 Mar 2025
  • World Boxing now with 84 countries and will have Panamerican Congress in Panama
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Mar 2025
  • Grandmaster Daniel Maravilla Quizon tops DG's Cup 2025 Invitational chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 15 Mar 2025
  • Nick Ball Defends Belt Against TJ Doheny & Ammo Versus Volny on Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 15 Mar 2025
  • Johnny Hill: The Ebb and Flow of The First Filipino-American Boxing Star
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 15 Mar 2025
  • WILLIAMS VS. VOLNY WEIGH-IN RESULTS IN ORLANDO
    , Sat, 15 Mar 2025
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas Undisputed Showdown at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
    , Sat, 15 Mar 2025
  • 14 nations secured medals at IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš
    , Sat, 15 Mar 2025
  • Japan Crowns Second Unified Champion But Loses, Fails to Win Another Belt
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 14 Mar 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.