NAOYA INOUE is back in action TODAY as he takes on Nonito Donaire in a mouth-watering bantamweight title rematch.
The pair clashed at the World Boxing Super Series 118lbs final back in November 2019, and it was Inoue who came out on top.
But their bout won Ring Magazine Fight of the Year and was a classic that boxing fans will look back on fondly for years.
Inoue unified the WBA and IBF titles that night, but since then, Donaire has picked up the WBC strap, beating Nordine Oubaali for that honour.
With a lack of opponents offering themselves up to fight Inoue, Donaire, who has been calling for a rematch since, stepped up.
And they’ll do battle once again in Saitama, Japan, where their special rivalry began.
Inoue vs Donaire undercard
- Naoya Inoue vs. Nonito Doniare
- Takuma Inoue vs. Gakuya Furuhashi
- Andy Hiraoka vs. Shun Akaiwa
- Toshiya Ishii vs. Hikaru Fukunaga
- Kanamu Sakama vs. Fuki Ishigaki
- Minori Okamura vs Kote Matsuno
- Chihiro Iwashita vs Seiru Yamana
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Hiraoka vs Akaiwa – Round 1
Southpaw Hiraoka has come out really strong early doors and is utilising his reach to great effect.
Hiraoka lands a good straight left that snaps back Akaiwa’s head back.
Akaiwa is down courtesy of a big uppercut but he beats the count.
That seems to have woken up Akaiwa who lands two stiff straight rights in a row.
The bell sounds. 10-8 Hiraoka.
Super-lightweights on deck
Up next is a 140lb showdown between Andy Hiraoka and Shun Akaiwa.
The bout will mark Akaiwa’s debut in the tasty division.
Getting ready
WBC bantamweight king Nonito Donaire is currently having his hand wrapped ahead of his clash with Naoya Inoune.
Not long now until we see them trade heavy leather again.
Inoue wins
Takuma Inoue gets the nod, with all three judges scoring the bout in his favour.
Naoya’s litter brother is now 16-1 following his defence of the WBO Asia Pacific super-bantamweight title.
Decision time
We await the judges’ scorecards for the thrilling clash between Takuma Inoue and Gakuya Furuhashi.
Furuhashi was truly relentless with his pressure but Inoue’s slick work should see him awarded the victory.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 12
Furuhashi, unsurprisingly, comes forward like the Terminator and looks to land punches in bunches to the body.
A stinging right hand snaps back Inoue’s head. His legs appeared to briefly wobble.
But he’s back to being light on his feet and looking for counters.
The crowd is getting behind both men ahead of the final thirty seconds.
Furuhashi gets clipped with a big counter right just before the bell – which brings about a huge round of applause from the crowd.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 11
Inoue’s timing of Furuhashi’s roughhousing is a lot better than it was in the mid-rounds.
But his lack of volume is a sign of his fatigue.
A good short uppercut lands for Furuhashi moments before the end of the round – which was arguably the veteran’s best.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 10
Furuhashi’s pressure is truly impressive.
He’s had real success in this round with his combinations in tight.
But he’s still being outfoxed by the tired Inoue.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 9
Inoue is doing a better job of keeping the fight at his range and showing better defence.
Furuhashi’s one-dimensional style doesn’t at all work well in the centre of the ring but he’s continuing to come forward.
Furuhashi pushes Inoue back against the ropes but eats three shots before his opponent escapes from the ropes.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 8
More pressure from Furuhashi, who is imploring Inoue to fight his fight.
Inoue appears to have got a second wind as he has more pep in his shots.
A beautiful liver shot from Inoue draws a reaction from the crowd.
Inoue has returned to counter punching and lands a night straight right after a beautiful slip.
But he’s pressed back up against the cage with 20 seconds to go and eats a flurry of shots.
But he lands a slick uppercut moments before the bell.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 7
Furushashi’s pressure is starting to wear on Inoue – who seems to be waining.
A nasty four-punch combo lands for the challenger. But the bout is briefly stopped due to an accidental low blow.
Inoue doubles up on the left hand after the restart but his power isn’t as prominent as it was in the early rounds
Furuhashi continues to invest in the body but eats a few uppercuts before the round ends.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 6
Furuhashi has shown no sign of slowing down at all and is continuing to move forward with no regard for Inoue’s counter uppercuts.
Inoue has slowed down and is no longer evading shots as he was early in the round.
But he’s continuing to find a home for uppercuts.
Inoue has become more of a standing target. Three-punch combo lands for Furuhashi right before the end of the round.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 5
Furuhashi is looking to make the fight a phonebooth bout early doors with his pressure.
But Inoue’s silky footwork is allowing him to land counter uppercut and counter uppercut.
Furuhashi eats a four-punch combination just before the end of the round.
Another better stanza for the veteran but still not enough, in my eyes, to take the round.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 4
Furuhashi is continuing to invest in his body work due to his lack of success upstairs.
A stinging left hook lands for Inoue – who is more than happy to play the role of counter striker.
Furushashi continues to back up Inoue late in the round – which was arguably his best.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 3
Furuhashi looks to work the body early and utilise the clinch.
A beautiful slip and counter right hand lands flush for Inoue. But he eats one of his own against the ropes.
Inoue lands two nasty short uppercuts as Furuhashi steps forward.
Inoue is continuing to land uppercuts and appears to have Furuhashi hurt.
Inoue can’t miss with the uppercut. The bell goes. Huge round for Inoue.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 2
Furushashi comes out aggressive again but gets cracked with a stinging three-pinch combination.
A beautiful counter left hook snaps back Furuhashi’s head and gives him more food for thought with his entrances.
Furuhashi lands two sickening body shots but Inoue takes them with ease.
Inoue snaps Furuhashi’s back with three stinging lead uppercuts in a row.
Another round in the bank for Inoue.
Inoue vs Furuhashi – Round 1
Inoue, like his brother, is light on his feet early and throwing a lot of feints.
A good left hook lands for Inoue but Furuhashi backs him up and lands an uppercut.
Furushashi lands a good combination as he backs up Inoue against the ropes but eats a stinging counter left as Inoue pivots out of trouble.
Inoue gets on the inside and lands a nice rear uppercut. Picture-perfect slip and counter right from Inoue lands before the bell.
First fight of the night
The first fight of the evening will see Naoya Inoue’s brother Takuma lock horns with Gakuya Furuhashi
Inoue will be defending his WBO Asia Pacific super-bantamweight title against grizzled vet Furuhashi.
Donaire expecting a war
Nonito Donaire is expecting his rematch with Naoya Inoue to be even better than their 2019 classic.
He said: “Our first fight was brutal and amazing, it was a classic, but the rematch is going to be even better.
“I am heading into this monumental fight with a new mindset, because the first contest with Inoue was an awakening for me and I now know I can defeat him.
“June 7, in Japan, is going to be a special evening for the sport and make no mistake, it will end in a Donaire victory.”
Hardware on the line
Inoue and Donaire’s rematch is pretty much for all the marbles at 118lbs.
Inoue currently holds the WBA (Super), IBF, and The Ring bantamweight titles, while Donaire possesses the prestigious WBC strap.
England’s own Paul Butler possesses the final belt – having been elevated from interim to undisputed WBO champ in May.
Credit: Alamy DING DING
Good morning and welcome to SunSport’s live coverage of one of the most anticipated fights of the year.
In just around two hours’ time, unified bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue will defend his titles against Nonito Donaire – whom he put on a thriller with nearly three years ago.
The pair will resume their rivalry at the historic Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
And we’ll keep you updated with all the ongoings ahead of the bantamweight bust-up.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
