By: Sean Crose
Naoya Inoue and Nonito Donaire will finally be back in the ring. With the WBA, IBF and WBC bantamweight titles, the two men will meet for the second time on June 7 at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena. Honestly, this is one of the best games of 2022 that has given fans some good games. Donaire was recently made the news of yesterday as the former star stepped into the ring with Inoue back in 2019. Inoue won the match, as expected, but it was a fight that now is now considered a classic. In other words, Inoue found himself in a real fight that night. Everyone was immediately, and obviously, looking for a rematch.
Both fighters want a rematch, though it will take some time for this bout to come together due to significant issues stemming from things like the Covid pandemic. However, each man has continued to fight since their 2019 match. Last May, Donaire reached iconic status when the 38-year-old Filipino defeated Nordine Oubaali in four of Oubaali’s bantamweight title fights. The man dubbed the “Filipino Lightning” then knocked out Reymart Gaballo (again on four occasions) last November.
As for Inoue, the boxer dubbed “The Monster” has proven himself to be a monster time and time again… and it’s been business as usual for the Japanese star since he’s been competitive against Donaire in 2019. In October 2020, Inoue knocked out Jason Moloney on seven occasions. In June last year Inoue defeated Michael Dasmarinas in 3 games before going on to beat Aran Diapen 8 games last December. At just 28 years old, Inoue 20-0 has continued to impress, while 42-6 Donaire continues to surprise as he finishes in his forties. Again, this is a fight that both fans and fighters want – and with good reason.
While there’s currently no news on how Inoue-Donaire 2 will be broadcast statewide, it’s certain that the fight will be available to US fans when the time comes. The first bout between the two men, which was the final bout of the World Boxing Bantamweight Tournament, was broadcast live on the DAZN streaming service.
Inoue announced the rematch on Wednesday via social media. “Expect a fight far beyond the previous one!!” he declared. This is hope.
