‘Monster’ Naoya Inoue (18-0, 16 KOs) and Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire (40-5, 26 KOs) were both in confident moods at Monday’s medical check in Tokyo ahead of Thursday’s WBSS Bantamweight Ali Trophy final at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Naoya Inoue: “Nonito’s only advantage is his experience, he has been in many big fights. He is taller and his reach is longer, but that’s something we have prepared for.”
Nonito Donaire: “Like we saw with Canelo vs Kovalev, height doesn’t matter, size doesn’t matter. Ultimately it’s about the game plan, and I believe I have the game plan to beat Inoue. And my experience will carry me through.”
On Tuesday the pair will meet again at the final press conference before the final.
Another big fight this weekend. Inoue’s coming out party if he can defeat the Flash. Should be a good fight. Donaire better stay away early on or it will be a short night.
It is actually Thursday. Poorly timed by u.s standards.
This fight is going to be short and maybe intense. One is reaching his primes and the ideal weight for him. The other is just a shell of the powerful bantamweight of 2010, fighting in a weight that he struggled to make back in 2011.
Nonito should retire after this bout, especially if he is trashed badly by Inoue.
This is a great match up between an old lion and a young lion. Respect for both!
Inoue hasnt fought anybody donaire has fought better competition.
Yes maybe but that was a long time ago ! Inoue will flatten him easily trust me… We will talk about it after the fight !
Seems you know only about Donaire (and not much). Nonito Donaire never had any significant win since he was badly defeated by Guillermo Rigondeaux, back in in 2013. Inoue in the other side has proved to be an elite fighter since his first fight (even before, I have a video of him fighting in a school Gym around 2010-2011). On his walk through 3 different weight classes Inoue has KO wins against at least 7 top good fighters. Adrian Hernandez, Carlos Payano, Omar Narvaez (Nonito couldn’t figure it up this guy), Kohei Kono, Jammie McDonnell, Yoan Boyeaux and Emmanuel Rodriguez. If the one that is about to face Inoue were the Donaire of 2011, my money on him, but that one doesn’t exist anymore. Expect a quick definition of this fight in Inoue’s favor.
At least Donair will get one last pay check for his retirement. I always liked him and wish him well.
Inoue will become recognized Boxing star and p4p king after this fight. Long time fan of Donaire but I expect an explosive KO by Inoue . The kid just got it!!!
It will take him a few more to be king but this will be a big fight to move him up the P4P ranks especially with a huge KO. I’ll be interested to see what The Ring does with their rankings at the end of the month. Canelo was number 3 and I can’t remember off hand where Inoue was but I thought it was top 6.