CEBU, Philippines — A surefire blockbuster rematch between WBC bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr. (42-6, 28KOs) and the undefeated WBA/IBF titleholder Naoya Inoue (22-0, 19KOs) is in the works.
Probellum CEO Richard Schaefer, Donaire’s promoter, said in a report by Manouk Akopyan of BoxingScene.com that he is negotiating at the moment with Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions, Inoue’s handler,
to stage the unification bout this April in Japan.
“This is definitely a fight we would love to do and Nonito would love to have it as well. We don’t have a problem going to Japan. Donaire has the balls to go into the lion’s den again. This is one of the biggest fights you can make in the sport,” said Schaefer.
“I can’t speak on behalf of Inoue, but I know that’s the fight he wants as well. I’ve always believed that when there is a big fight to be made, you make it – and this is a big fight. I am going to exhaust every resource and will not leave any stone unturned to pull off this fight. This is what Nonito and the fight fans want. We as a sport need to deliver it. I believe we’ll get it done,” he added.
Inoue and Donaire first met during the World Boxing Super Series finals on November 7, 2019 at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The vaunted Japanese “Monster” won by unanimous decision during their bloody and brutal 12-round war.
The 39-year-old Donaire has since reclaimed the WBC 118-pound throne with a stunning fourth-round stoppage of the previously unbeaten Nordine Oubaali of France in May last year. He defended his belt with a vicious one-punch knockout of his countryman Reymart Gaballo on December 12 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Three days after Donaire’s masterful demolition of Gaballo, the 28-year-old Inoue mercilessly destroyed outmatched challenger Aran Dipaen in eight rounds to retain his crowns. Prior to that, he cemented his status among the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters with spectacular KO victories over Australia’s Jason Moloney and Filipino boxer Michael Dasmarinas.