The main challenge of 2019 will be repeated. Naoya Inoue will face Nonito Donaire in the rematch. The expected duel for three years, as the first turned out to be both incredible and unexpected at the same time.

Perhaps the second encounter between Inoue and Donaire will be better than the first. Both approach him with adequate physical and psychological preparation. Both have something to prove.

In 2019, Inoue needed to knock out Donaire quickly. But the veteran gave a strong fight and coached the opponent.

The World Boxing Super Series seemed like the perfect system for determining the best. Cruiserweight started this marathon. At this weight, it was possible to collect all the best boxers and, as a result, determine the absolute – Oleksandr Usyk.

However, the idea didn’t go as cool as it started. An instant second season with the same weight was a controversial decision, and moving to the more expensive categories – the same light or super heavy – didn’t work out due to different organizers, TV channels and other organizational issues.

Therefore, I had to look for other partitions, one of which was flyweight. Not the most popular, no less bright with the main star – Naoya Inoue.

The Japanese crushed everyone both before and during the tournament. He reached the final in just over five minutes – it took the Japanese five minutes and twenty-nine seconds for the two opponents. Juan Carlos Payan already fell in the first round. Emmanuel Rodriguez took longer – until the second round.

On the other hand, Filipino Nonito Donaire reached the final, which at that time was already considered a veteran of boxing for several years with old skills. The Philippine Lightning also made it to the finals with early victories, but not so brightly – Ryan Barnett refused to continue the fight and Stefan Young was eliminated in the sixth round.

The main arguments against Nonito were the age and strength of the opponent. Still, Inoue isn’t Barnett or Young, or even close. Also, Donaire entered the tournament only because other boxers left for various reasons. But everything worked out best for everyone and above all for the fans.

There have been many bets on when Inoue will beat Donaire and how many minutes in total he will get for the tournament. But none of the predictions came true. Nonito survived the super-heavy opening laps, endured and fought. Of course the Filipino lost. But it cleared up. Neither before nor after, no one gave such a duel to the Japanese. Occasionally, Donaire would lap his opponent, even at the helm at medium and close ranges, and interrupt him where Inoue felt better from the start.

The best fight of 2019 and the need for a rematch appeared at the same time. But the fight will take place in three years. Maybe this is for the best.

Who is your favourite?

Absolute favorite of bookies – Naoya Inoue – you can bet 1.60 on him. On Nonito Doneira they give about 4.50 on average.

It would be awkward to claim that Inoue is the favourite. Of course, the Japanese still have to win. Still young, strong and with a powerful punch. He is still among the leaders per kilo and is generally an excellent boxer.

An important point, however, is how Donaire approaches the fight. After this defeat, Nonito did not enter the ring for two years and then had two strong fights: he knocked out Nordin Oubaali in the fourth round and Reimart Gaballo in the same fourth round.

The Filipino enjoys experience, skill and strength. Again cleverly but at the same time ruthlessly boxing against opponents. He also promised not to fight an opponent and not work wisely. Whether he will come out is a huge question, but this fight is the last chance and Donaire knows you can slam the door loudly before he retires.

As a result, a young puncher who still has something to prove will make his way into the ring as Nonito poses some questions to him. And it’s the motivated and physically fit Donaire, who thinks this victory is his chance to unify and Pacquiao to loudly approach his greatness among Filipino boxers.

It seems that the second meeting may overshadow 2019.

Naoya Inoue vs. Nonito Donaire will be played on Tuesday, June 7 in Saitama, Japan. The estimated start time of the battle is 12:30 Kyiv time.