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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider Donaire faces Inoue in June rematch

Donaire faces Inoue in June rematch

Published Mar 30, 2022 04:54 pm

Filipino boxing champion Nonito Donaire and Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue are set to put their belts on the line in a much-awaited unification rematch at the Super Saitama Arena in Japan on June 7.

A photo poster posted by Naoya Inoue, the unified super WBA, IBF, and The Ring bantamweight champion, made rounds on social media as he announces the rematch against WBC titleholder Nonito Donaire. (Photo from Naoya Inoue's Instagram)

No less than Inoue made the announcement on Instagram and expressed excitement in their fight dubbed as "Drama in Saitama II."

"Rematch for the first time in three years since the WBSS (World Boxing Super Series) final. Expect a fight that goes beyond the previous match," wrote the 28-year-old Inoue, the reigning super World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and The Ring bantamweight champion.

The development was also confirmed by Jake Donovan of BoxingScene.com although more details have yet to be announced.

Hall of Famer promoter Bob Arum, who co-handles Inoue under Top Rank, earlier bared that there have been talks to materialize the unification match in the next few months.

The 39-year-old Donaire , who holds a 42-6 record on top of 28 knockouts, likewise had hinted that his next bout is likely the rematch against the Japanese "Monster."

Last November 2019, the two bantamweight stars encountered in a slugfest, also at the Super Saitama Arena, that earned the Fight of the Year honor as Inoue won via unanimous decision to unify the super WBA, IBF, and The Ring titles.

Since then, the Japanese champion defended the belts thrice with the most recent victory against Aran Dipaen of Thailand to remain undefeated in 22 matches with 19 knockouts last December 2021.

The "Filipino Flash," for his part, last saw action in Dec. last year as well with a fourth-round knockout against compatriot Reymart Gaballo for his first title defense of his World Boxing Council (WBC) belt.

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