Boxing fans are in for a mid-week treat when Naoya Inoue and Nonito Donaire run back their 2019 classic. The bantamweight unification clash goes down Tuesday from Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan (5 a.m. ET, ESPN+).
The first meeting between Inoue and Donaire was a near-unanimous choice for 2019’s Fight of the Year among boxing media. The bout was the finals of the ambitious World Boxing Super Series bantamweight tournament.
Donaire (42-6, 28 KO) entered the tournament thought by many to be well past his prime and having lost bouts to Jessie Magdaleno and Carl Frampton in two of his last three. While Donaire won his first two fights in the WBSS tournament, he did not enter the finals with Inoue having calmed many concerns over his current form. The first round saw him defeat Ryan Burnett after Burnett suffered a back injury just four rounds into the fight and the semifinal bout came against Stephon Young who was a late replacement for Zolani Tete.
But, when given his shot at Inoue, one of the best fighters in the world, Donaire showed he still held many of the skills that saw him win 30 consecutive fights from 2001 to 2012, a stretch where he won world titles at flyweight, super flyweight, bantamweight and super bantamweight. In his 35th pro fight, Donaire also added a world title at featherweight to his already impressive collection.
The speed of Inoue (22-0, 19 KO) was a major factor in the bout with Donaire, but Donaire never backed down and showcased a brutal right hand in addition to his trademark left hook. Both men would hurt the other throughout the battle before Inoue was able to pull away late, including with a knockdown on a body shot in Round 11. Inoue would ultimately win the fight by scores of 114-113, 116-111, and 117-109, but Donaire’s performance showed he had plenty left to offer inside the ring.
“In terms of ranking him with any fighter I’ve previously faced, Nonito is more special than anyone else,” Inoue said in an interview with BoxingScene. “I still have plenty I want do in my career and consider this fight as a checkpoint like any other fight.
“Winning against Oubaali and Gaballo, who both are no easy opponents, in four rounds is simply very impressive. I can imagine Donaire has put in a lot of hard work in the gym.”
Donaire would be out of the ring until 2021 when he knocked out Nordine Oubaali in the fourth round to capture the WBC title and then retained the belt with another fourth-round knockout, this time over Reymart Gaballo.
Inoue’s nickname “The Monster” is apt, considering his crushing power that has put down all but three of his career opponents. On his rise to the point of being one of the sport’s pound-for-pound elite, Inoue has collected world titles at junior flyweight, junior bantamweight and bantamweight.
Since his win over Donaire, Inoue has remained perfect, scoring knockouts of Jason Moloney, Michael Dasmarinas and Aran Dipaen.
Now, he’s set for a rematch with his toughest opponent to date as well as the biggest name fighter he’s ever faced.
Inoue vs. Donaire card, odds
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook
|
Naoya Inoue (c) -550 |
Nonito Donaire (c) +400 |
WBA, IBF and WBC bantamweight titles |
|
Takuma Inoue |
Gakuya Furuhashi |
Super bantamweight |
|
Andy Hiraoka |
Shun Akaiwa |
Lightweight |
Prediction
It’s been a joy to watch Donaire, a true legend and a beloved fighter, resurrect his career as a legitimate top-tier fighter. However, at 39-years old, Donaire is at an age where his body will often not be able to pull off what has become instinct over his long and storied career. Inoue has already proven he has the ability to beat Donaire, albeit in a thrilling fight, and he’s still a 29-year-old who has taken a very limited amount of dents over his time in the ring.
It would seem reasonable to think that Inoue will be able to repeat what he accomplished the first time around and maybe without as much trouble. Expect Donaire to be game and to give everything he has. It’s just that everything Donaire has might not be enough. Pick: Naoya Inoue via TKO10