By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
Unbeaten WBA/IBF bantamweight champion “Monster” Naoya Inoue (22-0, 19 KOs) will square off against WBC titleholder Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire (42-6, 28 KOs) in Tokyo, Japan, on June 7. It was announced today (Wednesday) by Ohashi Promotions along with Amazon Prime Video that will exclusively show this unification rematch, following the Murata-Golovkin showdown on April 9. The fight venue will be same at the Saitama Super Arena the capacity of which is approximately 20,000. Monster and Filipino Flash, in November 2019, put on a grueling do-or-die battle with Naoya following emerging victorious on a unanimous decision thanks to his eleventh round knockdown of Nonito.
Inoue, 28, confidently said, “I’d like to win more convincingly than in our first encounter. I wish to have Nonito counted out this time since people called the previous eleventh-round knockdown a long count.”
Donaire, WBC titlist at 39, participated in the press conference through video message, saying, “Each has become stronger than last time, and you will see more excitement this time. The first fight had me revived and back. I’ll appear stronger and more motivated against Naoya. I hope to unify all the four belts after defeating Naoya to win the three at first.”
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Absolutely can’t wait for this fantastic to happen. This is what us boxing fans live for isn’t it?
Looks like this fight is going to be on in the USA on a Tuesday afternoon. Shame for such a big event.
I can’t wait for this one .. shown on Amazon prime? Should be another great battle. I like both fighters but hope that Donaire can pull this one off. If vintage Donaire shows up he could stop the monster but Inoue has to be the betting favorite
inoue is a liver killer, donaire has a weak liver RIP
– I absolutely love the Filipino Flash.
– With that said, not sure if he can pull this one off.
– Good luck, Nonito.
What fantastic news to wake up to! That’s exactly 10 weeks from yesterday, that’s no time to wait at all.
Last one I never saw live because I had to work…but since COVID I work from home now so I might be able to see it live. Looks like it will be a Tuesday morning.
Definitely Pete. Have to watch it live this time.
Fantastic matchup, two legends in search of supremacy. Good luck to both of them
cant wait for this one could be fight of the year good luck to the filipino flash
Donaire has been digging hard, and proving himself fight after fight for the rematch. He has definitely earned his shot at redemption.
He has to keep this Monster at bay in the first half of the fight so he can have a little more left towards the end this time around. Much easier said than done.
The best fighting the best!!!
Best of luck to him.
Relax…Donaire is over the hill at 39 and is clout chasing at this point. He will be disposed of in brutal fashion by the younger, fresher Inoue this time, who showed that he is not a “monster” as advertised, when he went through the gauntlet with the five loss Donaire the first go around. One too many fights Nonito, let it go, you had a good career.
If Donaire is over the hill…. I would like to be over the hill in my everyday life. He’s looked really good as of late.
Should be a great fight!!!
Maybe a trilogy?
Don’t know how much gas is left on donaire for this particular fight! Its been like 2 years since that great battle but age might get between! I hope donaire has the young man endurance on an old man body that he displayed the last time they met. Looking forward to this one at 5 am!
‘Tis why Inoue is the rightful number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Inoue is just too much for Donaire. Inoue victory by late TKO.
After this fight, Donaire will retire for subsequent entry in the HOF.
Nonito is a real brave warrior taking on innoue well past his own prime. Credit to him for his bravery ninito is all heart.
great news!!
Great fight, I will be watching!!!
Just be half as good as the first fight. That will do.
While Canelo is waiting for Golovkin to be 50 years old or battered for their trilogy (following Mayweather’s strategy avoiding Paul Williams, Margarito and Kosta Tszyu not to mentioned older versions Cotto and Pacquiao)…. Donaire is set and ready to keep fighting the very best.
Inoue will finish Donaire this time. No shame in that Inoue is in his prime would have been a much better fight if they could build the wayback machine and get a 10 year younger Donaire.
So thrilled this rematch is taking place as the first fight was scintillating and have no doubt the second fight will be just as great! Much respect to both gladiators for accepting this challenge again but it seems this is the only matchup at 118 that’ll generate the interest and revenue that both men deserve, at least for now. Would be more inclined to pay a PPV price of $75 for a fight like this over, say, a Spence-Ugas bout.
Inoue has guts, damn after such a fight ! The same for the “old” warrior Donaire, are they crazy ?! Lol that’s what boxing is all about.. These two have no fear..
I can’t see Donaire pulling this out but he’s a legend, and never write off a legend. MAN I hope he does it!
Donaire is totally back in the mix at 39. Goes to show its not too late if you put in the work.
This will be a great fight!!!!
I just learned about this fight. Wow. Donaire is such a incredible fighter and a fine person. Win or lose he should hang them up. He has nothing more to prove and should enjoy his life and keep his health.
Donaire has been a rejuvenated fighter for the past couple of years. He is big for a bantamweight and has fought as high as featherweight. He can take a punch, as his first fight against Inoue showed. Inoue is a 115 pounder fighting at 118 lbs. He’s small for the weight class but has tremendous velocity on his punches. He punches through his opponents rather than at them.
That said, Inoue needs to dig to the body early. He got to Donaire’s body late in their first fight. He should take a hint from that and mix up his punches with body shots as a consistent part of his arsenal. It’s a dangerous fight for Inoue because Donaire is also a huge puncher. I’d pick Inoue by late round stoppage, but an upset is possible.
I just hate that they can’t fight in all the weight classes and show the other morons how it’s done. No squabbling over money, or rankings, or affiations, or top rank,,pbc,bad boys. Showtime my promoteam don’t like your promo and all that other BS THat boxing has to offer, they just go a fight and may the best man win
INOEU is a very STRONG BODY puncher, if Nonito Donaire can Avoid the body punch, then the fight might go to the distance, if not Donaire might be knockout. Since he is Vulnerable .
Thank you.
If Donaire cant finish Inoue this time, he is finished at bantamweight; but can campaign against any of the champs at super flyweight division. A true-blue Filipino Flash fan here.
Should be another great fight. Inoue did actually stop Donaire in 1st fight. Ref clearly counted to 10 before Donaire got up in 11th. Either way Inoue still got deserved decision win.
Lets hope Nonito retuns with the same physical condition and determination, or better, than the 1st time. I believe he can really win this right. The power, the experience, & the speed he is still showing will be the key for this victory.
why didn’t the fight between John Riel Casimero and Inoue push through?
Why u won’t fight Jognreil Casemiro?
Inoue is a great fighter. He should win again.