FIVE-division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. will be fighting with both caution and aggression in his World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) bantanweight finals with Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue on Nov. 7, 2019, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
“Jun-Jun has fought fighters bigger than him without hesitation. But I always tell him not to underestimate Inoue. Because that’s what I saw in his previous fights, that Inoue has been underestimated by his opponents,” Donaire Jr.’s father and trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. told SunStar Cebu.
Donaire Jr., known for his one-punch knockouts, will be looking for a knockout early. However, he’s also ready to outbox Inoue and go the distance.
“Nonito will also be looking for a knockout in the early rounds. That’s what I said, if they reach the later rounds then Inoue will have a hard time,” said Donaire Sr. “Boxing is always unpredictable. I know Inoue’s camp prepared really well because they know who Nonito is. If Inoue can’t finish Nonito in the early rounds then he’ll feel the experience of Nonito in the ring.”
The 36-year-old Donaire Jr. has a highlight reel of knockouts from Vic Darchinyan, Fernando Montiel, Jorge Arce, Hernan Marquez and Toshiaki Nishioka.
Donaire Sr. feels that if his son lands his best shots then Inoue will surely get knocked out.
“If Jun-Jun lands his solid punches, Inoue won’t last the distance. But I always tell him to stay clear of Inoue’s combinations,” he said.
Donaire Jr. tipped the scales at 117.5 pounds, while the 26-year-old Inoue weighed-in at exactly 118 pounds.
Donaire Jr. is 40-5 with 26 knockouts, while Inoue is 18-0 with 16 knockouts.
At stake in this fight are the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight belts, the grand Muhammad Ali Trophy and the right to be called the best bantamweight in the world. (EKA)