MANILA, Philippines – Pinoy pride Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire threw everything but the kitchen sink yet he came up short at putting away a monster challenge in Naoya “Monster” Inoue late Thursday (07 November 2019).
“The Flash” went down fighting by unanimous decision against the Japanese pugilist for the World Boxing Super Series bantamweight title at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
All scores were all in favor of the not-too-monster foe: 116-111, 117-109, and 114-113.
A split decision could have been a better decision and more acceptable to Donaire as he rocked Inoue several times but he cut his right eye brow in the 2nd round, and bloodied his nose later.
However, a letdown came on the 11th where Donaire was knocked down when he got caught by a wicked left to the body and crumbled to his knees.
Aside from taking the Muhammad Ali trophy as WBSS champion, the win also allowed Inoue to annex the WBA 118-pound crown even as he kept the International Boxing Federation diadem.
Inoue, who sustained a cut on the right eyebrow early on the fight improved to 19-0 with the win built around 16 knockouts including three previous opponents before Donaire.
For Donaire, who fell to 40-6 with 26 KOs, it was still a commendable performance as he will be turning 37 years old in a few days compared to Inoue.
The Japanese is only 26 years old but he was pushed to the limit of his skills and endurance. (From the WWW/IAMIGO/CNS)
