Naoya Inoue of Japan (R) and Nonito Donaire of Philippines (L) struggle of their World Boxing Tremendous Collection bantamweight last at Saitama Tremendous Enviornment in Saitama on November 7, 2019. (Picture by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)
TOKYO, Japan – Naoya Inoue and Nonito Donaire produced a stone-cold bantamweight boxing basic once they fought in Japan in 2019, and the pair are promising that extra is in retailer in Tuesday’s much-anticipated sequel.
Japan’s “Monster” Inoue and “Filipino Flash” Donaire will meet once more in Saitama for a unification bout that sees the unbeaten Inoue’s WBA and IBF world titles and Donaire’s WBC belt on the road.
Inoue claimed a unanimous factors win when the 2 met on the identical venue in November 2019, in a bout that was voted struggle of the yr by the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.
Inoue recovered from a fractured eye socket and double imaginative and prescient early on to ground Philippines veteran Donaire within the eleventh spherical and stroll away with the World Boxing Tremendous Collection trophy.
It was the primary time the ferocious-punching Inoue had been severely examined in his profession, and he has since gone from power to power.
He’s unbeaten in all his 22 bouts, successful 19 by knockout, and is considered one in every of world boxing’s finest pound-for-pound fighters.
The 39-year-old Donaire bounced again from the defeat to develop into the oldest world champion at 118 kilos (53.52kg) when he beat Nordine Oubaali for the WBC bantamweight title in Might final yr.
Donaire, who has received 9 world title belts throughout 4 weight divisions in a storied 21-year skilled profession, informed reporters this week that his first struggle in opposition to Inoue “felt like an awakening”.
“For the reason that final struggle in opposition to Inoue, I’ve modified every little thing with a view to develop into stronger — my weight loss program, my coaching, my thoughts set, every little thing,” stated Donaire, who defended his title by knocking out fellow Filipino Reymart Gaballo in December.
“Now I’ve a powerful want to win.”
‘Drama in Saitama’
Donaire says his “function” is to unify the 4 essential bantamweight belts, with Inoue and Britain’s WBO interim champion Paul Butler standing in his approach.
Inoue has the identical aim and intends to attain it earlier than the yr is out.
The 29-year-old Inoue’s most up-to-date struggle was an eighth-round stoppage of unheralded Thai Aran Dipaen in Tokyo in December.
He’s decided to make Tuesday’s struggle in opposition to Donaire extra one-sided than their final encounter, telling reporters, “it is going to be over with out him touching me”.
“I feel Donaire may retire if he loses,” Inoue informed reporters.
“Folks say Donaire can nonetheless do the enterprise but it surely’s not going to be that type of struggle.”
Inoue dismissed the bout’s “Drama in Saitama” tagline, saying “there received’t be any drama this time”.
However Donaire confirmed in December that he nonetheless packs a punch, knocking out Gaballo within the fourth spherical with a thunderous physique shot to take his file to 42-6 with 28 KOs.
Donaire is now the face of Philippines boxing, after spending years within the shadow of the not too long ago retired Manny Pacquiao, and he’s having fun with a resurgence late in his profession.
A likeable and standard determine exterior the ring, he handled Japanese reporters to an impromptu impression of his favorite “Dragon Ball” anime character earlier this week.
He stated the struggle will likely be “a lot of enjoyable”, and refused to entertain any unfavourable ideas as he ready to battle the person nicknamed “Monster”.
“I’m the undisputed — that goes into my head, that goes into my meditation,” stated Donaire.
“Within the subsequent few days, that’s all I’m saying. I’m the perfect, I’m the champion, I’m the undisputed.”
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