Philippines, 14 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Inoue next for Donaire


PhilBoxing.com





WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. is primed to face super WBA/IBF titlist Naoya Inoue in a much-awaited rematch in May or June in Japan but until COVID restrictions are lifted, date and venue are still up in the air. Donaire said considering risk/reward and profit margin factors, the fight will be in Japan.

When Inoue and Donaire met in Saitama in 2019, the $1,500 ringside seats were sold out in a few days. “They’ve tested the waters,” said Donaire. “I think ticket sales will be huge (for the rematch). They’ll do Triple G against (Ryota) Murata (in Saitama on April 9) before ours. I’m training (former WBA superlightweight/WBO welterweight champion) Jessie Vargas with his dad for a fight against Liam Smith at Madison Square Garden on April 30 with Rachel as strength and conditioning coach and strategist. April is a packed month for boxing. (Probellum CEO) Richard (Schaefer) and (Inoue’s promoter) Mr. (Akihiko) Honda are talking. No negatives, no kinks. Only the date and venue are to be confirmed.”

Donaire said what drives him is the challenge to be undisputed. “Every challenge is a learning lesson and it inspires me,” he said. “Not too many believe in me because of my age (39) and the years floating by. It’s a lot of hurdles. We’re trying to unify the title. I want to fight the best out there.” Donaire said when the call to arms comes, he’ll be ready. “I train every day,” he said. “When I’m in the gym, it’s boxing. When I’m at home, it’s family. I don’t drain myself mentally. I’m eager to be in the gym. Rachel and I are gym rats. But we make sure we spend quality time with our kids when we get home.” Donaire’s wife Rachel is his manager, trainer and co-strategist so it’s all in the family.

Somewhere down the road, Donaire said he’s not discounting the possibility of engaging WBO ruler JohnRiel Casimero. They were supposed to face off last year but the fight was cancelled because of disrespect issues. “Now, we’re best friends,” said Donaire. “We met up near San Diego where he trains and had dinner about a month ago. I laid it out on the table with JohnRiel and kicked out the elephant in the room. No problem with JohnRiel doing VADA testing. We came to understand each other as persons. No need for trash talk. If ever there’s a chance to fight, it’ll be easier to do it. I believe JohnRiel’s defense against Paul Butler in Liverpool will push through (on April 22). There’s no controversy, no charge against JohnRiel, nothing for lawyers to respond to. An incident report was blottered but was he charged?”


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Ringside, Still: Remembering Chino Trinidad
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 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.