Naoya Inoue and Nonito Donaire meet in an exciting rematch in Japan today, with fans hoping it lives up to a fantastic 2019 fight between the illustrious rivals.
The legendary multi-weight world champions clash once again in a three-belt bantamweight unification showdown, two-and-a-half years on from their World Boxing Super Series final epic at the same venue.
That engrossing bout was an instant classic and ‘Fight of the Year’ winner, with ‘The Monster’ Inoue hurt early and suffering nose and eye socket fractures before firing back to down his rival and eventually win a gruelling affair on points, unifying the WBA and IBF titles at 118lbs in the process.
The undefeated pound-for-pound powerhouse, one of boxing’s most vicious punchers, has defended his belts three times since then and will have one eye firmly fixed on undisputed status as he bids to take Donaire’s WBC strap.
The ‘Filipino Flash’, who turns 40 in December, rolled back the years to stun Nordine Oubaali and become the oldest bantamweight champion in boxing history last year.
Proceedings started with a gutsy win for Naoya’s younger brother Takuma Inoue, while there was also a statement stoppage from budding star Andy Hiraoka in the co-main event.
Boxing schedule and results
Naoya Inoue bt Nonito Donaire
Andy Hiraoka bt Shun Akaiwa
Takuma Inoue bt Gakuya Furuhashi
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Live updates
There was still 1:24 left in round two at the time of that stoppage.
Just utterly ruthless from Inoue, who is now the unified WBA, WBC and IBF bantamweight champion of the world.
Only John Riel Casimero’s WBO belt now stands between him and undisputed status at 118lbs.
Donaire is warmly applauded as he leaves the ring and heads backstage.
Glad he’s ok… he just never managed to recover from that brutal knockdown at the end of round one.
Does retirement now beckon for the great Filipino Flash?
Inoue stops Donaire in round two
Absolutely incredible.
Inoue absolutely batters Donaire in the second, sending him careering around the ring with some almighty blows.
Donaire’s legs are all over the place and he’s getting caught with some spiteful shots over and over again.
He manages to stay up initially, but can’t recover, gets dropped by another massive short right hand and it’s all over.
Supreme from ‘The Monster’. Just dominant.
Inoue vs Donaire
Inoue is unleashing his full arsenal of dazzling, thundering shots early in the second!
Donaire is badly hurt and wobbling! This could be over very, very soon!
Inoue vs Donaire
BANG!
Donaire was anticipating another solid left hook but instead gets caught flush on the temple with a powerful short right hand that send him to the canvas.
Luckily for him, he only has a second left in the round as he gingerly gets back to his feet.
Inoue vs Donaire
Round 1
The duo feeling each other out early on, both trying to have initial success with those left jabs.
Inoue rattles in a nice counter as Donaire lunges somewhat with a leading left hook.
Lovely left jabs from Inoue, who follows up the second with a flashing right hand upstairs.
Inoue then jabs to the body before countering wonderfully with his own effective left hook.
Donaire lands a nice right, but Inoue steps on the gas at the end of round one AND DONAIRE IS DOWN! WOW!
Inoue vs Donaire
HERE WE GO!
The first bell sounds and the Saitama Super Arena falls silent in anticipation.
National anthems complete, now we’ve got the final introductions from Jimmy Lennon Jr.
We are almost underway!
A real big fight feel to this. Let’s hope it lives up to the billing.
Plenty of respect for Donaire as he makes his way to the middle, cloaked in a striking blue and orange robe.
A far more low-key arrival than that of Inoue, as you might expect.
It’s time for the national anthems, starting with the Philippines.
Inoue’s IBF and WBA belts are proudly displayed at the rear of his entourage as he soaks up the adulation of the crowd on the way to the ring with the guitar and ‘Battle Without Honor or Humanity’ – popularised in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill of course – blaring out loud.
This is quite an entrance, it must be said.
Befitting of the home favourite on a huge occasion.
Inoue vs Donaire
Jimmy Lennon Jr is on the mic and we are finally set to get underway in tonight’s main event.
First out is home favourite Inoue, who will be accompanied to the ring by a live musical performance.
Some serious guitar shredding going on in that ring just at the moment!
An ‘electric’ atmosphere ongoing in Saitama. I’ll get my coat…
