By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda
WBA 118-pound super champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire (40-5, 26 KOs) arrived in Japan on Wednesday to face unbeaten WBA regular bantamweight champ Naoya Inoue (18-0, 16 KOs) in the final of the WBSS tournaments in Saitama, Japan, on November 7.
Donaire, ten years his senior at 36, engaged in a public workout and demonstrated his good shape in Tokyo on Monday. Nonito said, “It’ll be a confrontation of the best versus the best. I feel like before opening a Christmas gift.”
The Filipino Flash had been training in Las Vegas, and then moved to his native place, Philippines, for his final preparation for a couple of weeks.
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Back in the heyday, Donaire had a thumping counter left hook. A lot of fighters ate the canvas with that counter punch when it was finely executed. In their first fight, Vic Darchinyan was smoked with that counter that even ESPN played as “Sports Play of the Week”.
He certainly did. Inoue has a wicked lead left hook off the block. Could be a good fight but I think Inoue will KO Donaire.
Nice to see Nonito, his father, and wife together. They been through a bunch of bs
I believe Donaire’s best days are behind him. He got to the finals by a series of flukes, but Inoue is the real deal. Inoue will be too quick for Nonito but Donaire’s size advantage and history of fighting bigger men will allow him to finish the fight on his feet. Inoue with a decisive win by decision.
Hello Augustin ! Inoue by stoppage between rounds 6 and 10 ! We will see…
The flash will eat the monster alive. Sure when hit by the famous lelf hook.
One of the best comments I’ve read in a while.you know your boxing
Inoue by KO
I have always liked Donaire as a fighter, but I think he is going to get destroyed this time out.
I believe in experience & battle tested Donaire but youth is the advantage of Inoue. Let’s see the real results on fight night?
Shame the Flash did not do a public workout in Manila. Also a shame that tickets for this fight only available to Japan residents. Lots of lads here in the Philippines left high and dry for the final. WBSS should have made some tickets available to non Japan residents…bad order
Screw this fight. Its one Man againsta quarter million. Unless Donaire can come with his slingshot like Babe Ruth.. We know the outcome! But wasnt thatvthe place where Douglass upset Tyson??? Fight should have happened on Nuetral Turf.. Because from watching Flash.
Hes still got it..