WHILE aware of the huge risk, Nonito Donaire would not have accepted a rematch with Naoya Inoue if he is not certain of conquering the Japanese “Monster” in their unification world bantamweight title fight tomorrow night at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
“I wouldn’t want this rematch if I didn’t think I could win this fight,” Donaire said in a report on the website boxingscene.com.
“After the last fight, there was a fire burning inside of me… the motivation, the feeling that I wasn’t at my best, and I know I can beat him (Inoue) at my best,” the “Filipino Flash” said of their bruising initial encounter three years ago at the same arena.
Donaire lost by unanimous decision after being decked in the 11th round by Inoue, who won the International Boxing Federation bantam and World Boxing Association super bantam championships.
But the baby-faced Japanese did not emerge from the physical scrap unscathed, suffering a broken right orbital bone and nose from the power-packed fists of the Pinoy fighter.
“Since the last fight against Inoue, I’ve changed everything in order to become stronger. My diet, my training, my mindset, everything,” noted Donaire, who will stake his World Boxing Council bantamweight belt.
“I’m very, very motivated. This is the fight that I’ve been aiming for, to accomplish everything that I have not accomplished in boxing. I’ve accomplished everything in boxing except become unified champion,” added the Pinoy pug, who has 46 wins, 28 by knockout, against six losses.
Donaire, 39, must bring his A-plus game against the younger Inoue, 29, who is unbeaten in 22 fights (19 KOs) and will be fighting in front what promises to be a rollicking hometown crowd.
Although not prone to boast, Inoue vowed the outcome will be vastly different from when the two proud ring warriors met the first time.
“It will be over without him (Donaire) touching me. People say that Donaire can still do business, but it won’t be that kind of fight,” the Japanese champ said.
“No drama in Saitama. There won’t be any drama this time,” Inoue said, dismissing the “Drama in Saitama” tagline in hyping the highly-awaited title clash.
“I think Donaire might retire if he loses,” he added.
