Naoya Inoue knocked out Nonito Donaire in two rounds in the rematch. After the first meeting in Japanese, some had their doubts. However, the Japanese suffered in the ring with the Filipino on the first meeting. He gained a reputation as a boxer with a broken nose, eye problems, and a troubled defense.

The second meeting closed all questions. Excellent fight of one of the leaders in the ranking of the best boxers outside the pound-to-pound weight category.

First, there were questions about Inoue’s defense. In the rematch, Naoya showed that everything is great with this component.

Before first meeting with Donaire, Naoya Inoue is one of ten pounds to pounds, a powerful puncher, and a scout. It is interesting to follow, even for those who see Japanese boxing as something distant and incomprehensible. Naoya Inoue is the same after this fight, but with a big question about defending and countering smart boxing.

Then, unexpectedly, veteran Nonito Donaire made a real test for the Japanese. He acted aggressively, not afraid of blows, went forward and aggressively struck back. So much so that he broke his opponent’s nose, injured his eye and forced him to work to the maximum. A noticeable difference with its previous counterparts, which fell very quickly – a little over five minutes for two.

The Japanese rivals below were also no surprise. Not by name – Jason Maloney, Michael Dasmariñas and Aran Dipaen. Not an opponent: The first Inoue was crushed in seven rounds, the second in three, the third in eight. Although without any problems.

I mean Donaire. It seemed like a forced retest for the Japanese who survived the defeat, returned and became champions. Nonito won twice in 2021: previously undefeated Nordin Oubaali and Reimart Gaballo suffered. Both are in the fourth round.

The most important thing Inoue had to show was whether he could do better against a strong and powerful opponent. Against an opponent who knows how to hit, so that their opponents fall and apply pressure so cleverly that their opponents make mistakes by disappearing under it. I succeeded the first time, but I don’t have enough confidence. The second went much better.

Even the beginning of the revenge was surprising. And not because of the guitarist who accompanied Naoya when she entered the ring. And because both parties are careful. Inoue worked as number two, carefully punching with one punch and left hook. Nonito pushed his opponent away, sought distance with his front hand and tried to strike a straight hit from the right. But without forcing things: calmly, carefully, carefully.

It seems that the guys really decided to box and did not fight, but no. Two minutes later, the hands were already flying in both directions, and the sound of the beats was just as terrifying as the first time. Inoue was more sensitive, faster, and calmer. The last – compared to the first meeting, which is very important. The Japanese did not rush to the opponent, but took a moment to attack.

Donaire looked like he was in slow motion. In the first fight he looked the same, but age makes itself felt, but against the background of a smart Japanese he looked even worse. It came almost immediately – at the end of the first round. Naoya cut herself in half, broke the distance, and approached straight to the right – she collapsed to the ground.

Nonito only recovered in time – he actually ended, because the punch flew at the end of the first round. But the gong did not help.

In the second round, the first ending continued. Inoue took charge of the opponent’s execution with both hands. He crushed, beat, and did not allow himself to be beaten back. Naoya clearly stood firm – she did not allow herself to be hit and retaliated. This is where it all ends. The Japanese struck so hard that there was no point in continuing the war.

What’s next?

It’s time for Nonito to retire. He accomplished everything he could. At this weight 39 is already a deep retirement age. It’s time for the legend to go. Let after such a fight, however, he was defeated by the best, he beat everyone with a slightly lower rank.

Inoue is ready to take all the belts. And morally – he declared his will after the war – and physically. The last competitor in this weight category is Paul Butler from Great Britain. You can go to visit and put the guy there, you can do it at home – the result is the same.

The most interesting thing is still in the second lightweight division – there are Stephen Fulton and the big guys, it will be interesting against them.