Carl Frampton wouldn’t be surprised if Nonito Donaire was better than Naoya Inoue’s on Tuesday.
Two strong contenders meet for the second time in Saitama, Japan after their huge battle in 2019 which was chosen by the Boxing Writers Association of America as match of the year.
In victory, Inoue stepped out into the ring as a unified 118lbs champion (WBA, IBF) and winner of the Bantamweight World Boxing Super. However, ‘The Beast’ suffered a cracked eye after Donaire hit him in one of the hardest battles of his career.
Frampton, who beat Donaire in April 2018, was full of praise for his old rival Indian Summer, but the former second-weight world champion says his friend will have to endure tough moments first Strong Inoue.
“Inoue is a great fighter and one of the keys for Nonito is to stay with him and maybe take a little punishment,” says Frampton. Perineal.
“Inoue has very good strength, but Donaire has a good chin and he has the ability to shoot and shoot back.”
Donaire has won fighting matches since his defeat to Inoue. Knocking out Nordine Oubaali helped him win the more clearly defended WBC Bantamweight title against Reymart Gaballo last December.
Frampton has described the 39-year-old as ‘the button of Benjamin’s boxing’ and says it is entirely possible.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a card shock in Japan. From the first fight, if anyone has learned and made the adjustments, it’s Nonito. He has been playing this game for a long time.
“It’s going to be an intense fight and it highlights the quality in the lower divisions.”
