| |
|
DONAIRE ARRIVES IN JAPAN
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 24 May 2022
WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jnr of the Philippines has arrived in Japan Tuesday ahead of his mouth-watering rematch with WBA/IBF champion Naoya Inoue on June 7 at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, the same venue where the two stars engaged in an unforgettable combat on Nov. 7, 2019 for the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) finale that later was voted as 2019 fight of the year.
The undefeated Inoue (22-0, 19KOs) has since fought Jason Moloney of Australia, Michael Dasmarinas of the Philippines and Aran Dipaen of Thailand to keep his belts. Donaire (46-6-0, 28KOs) meanwhile captured the WBC title from Frenchman Nordine Oubaali on May 29, 2021 and later defended it successfully against compatriot Reymart Gaballo last December.
The call for the rematch was loud and just natural for the two protagonists as their first fight was a barn burner where Inoue was stretched to his limits and was rocked by Donaire several times during the fight and specially in the 9th canto where the Japanese almost went down. Inoue dug deep and scored a knockdown in the 11th round with a wicked shot to the liver that sent Donaire grimacing in pain in the canvas. Inoue sustained a cut on his right eye brow early in the fight and was later diagnosed with fractures on his eye socket.
Inoue who at 29 years is still in his prime, will be facing a 39-year-old rival in Donaire who has yet to show signs that father time has caught up with him with two stunning knockout victories in his last two fights.
Donaire has come to Japan to prove a point. “If Naoya thinks, Donaire is same as in our first encounter, that’s wrong. I’m quite different as I can punch him from any angle in any position now. My skills and motivation have improved a lot. You’ll see,” Donaire told Fight News upon his arrival.
Let's circle the date - June 7 - and expect to see another classic of a fight between these two great fighters of our era.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
USA Boxing Sends Eight Boxers to Italy for International Duel
, Thu, 23 Jul 2026P248k prize on the line in Moon Cake Festival Pro Amateur 10-ball tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Jul 2026Super Lightweight Contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin Inks Promotional Pact with Top Rank
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Thu, 23 Jul 2026DUELING TUNE-UPS: Joshua and Fury Play High-Stakes Chicken Across Asia with November Mega-Fight Hanging in the Balance
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Chavon Stillwell and Izaiah Dent Put Their Perfect Records on the Line in a Can't-Miss Main Event at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights"
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Unbeaten Bizhamov faces Mironchikov in IBA Pro 20 main event in Naberezhnye Chelny
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Cuarto ready to fight Paradero
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026CHAVES DEFENDS WBO LATINO TITLE AGAINST GARCIA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Undefeated Middleweight Prospect Sebastian Juarez Returns August 8 Against Rance Ward
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and WBC Cares visits Pedro Fiorito Hospital in Avellaneda, Argentina
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026COLD SHOULDER IN SYDNEY: Spence and Tszyu Trade Snubs and Staredowns at Grand Arrivals Launch
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Suarez, Lewkowicz Ask the WBO to Enforce Navarrete Rematch and Begin Negotiations Immediately
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 20 JULY 2026: Papot Outpoints Eubank; Pacheco Stops Aleem; Suarez Smokes Avila in One Round
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Fiery Exchange at Fanatics Fest: Garcia and Benn Nearly Brawl in New York Ahead of Sept. 12 Title Clash
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026John Michael Zulueta Headlines in Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Results from Dominican Republic: Alberto Puello Stops Ángel Bolaño in 3
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Boxing reveals major fights in UK & Ireland schedule from August to October
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Colombia National Congress Awarded "Kid Pambelé" with Grand Cross Knight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026MILO Marathon returns to Davao on August 2
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM WEEKEND ROUNDUP: News, Fallout, and the Long Shadow of Sydney
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Joe Hand Promotions Secures Commercial Rights for Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu Showdown
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Grandy Twins Head to Tampa to Learn from Hall of Famers Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright Ahead of August 14 Homecoming Fight
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Extends Brentwood Town Fc Partnership as Principle Partner for Next Five Years as Barry Hearn Obe Provides Significant Investment to Non-League Football Club
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026IBA Pro announces departure of Director Al Siesta
, Mon, 20 Jul 2026Suarez sends strong signal
By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
