BRIMMING with confidence, Nonito Donaire Jr. said Japanese champion Naoya Inoue will face a different fighter when they tangle anew on June 7 to unify the world bantamweight titles at the Super Arena in Saitana, Japan.
“If Naoya thinks Donaire is the same fighter as in our first encounter, he’s wrong. I’m quite different as I can punch him from any angle in any position now. My skills and motivation have improved a lot. You’ll see,” Japanese boxing writer-promoter Joe Koizumi quoted Donaire as saying on fightnews.com late Tuesday night.
“The Filipino Flash” issued the statement moments after landing in the Land of the Rising Sun for the megabuck rematch between the protagonists, whose initial encounter at the same arena in 2019 was billed as “The Fight of the Year” by noted American boxing publication Ring Magazine.
In an action-packed clash, Inoue, known by his moniker “Monster,” knocked down Donaire en route to a unanimous decision win to capture the World Boxing Association super bantamweight and International Boxing Federation bantamweight straps.
The Filipino fighter, who went down in the 11th round from a punch to the breadbasket but gamely stood up to resume the bout, had also massive damage to the Japanese, fractured his right orbital bone.
Since then, Donaire, 39, has turned back the clock and has moved on to bag the World Boxing Council bantamweight crown by knocking out erstwhile unbeaten Frenchman Nordine Oubaali on May 29, 2021 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson City, California.
