Nonito Donaire will not rely on just his size to defeat Naoya Inoue!
‘Monster’ Naoya Inoue (18-0, 16 KOs) and Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire (40-5, 26 KOs) were both in confident moods at Monday’s medical check in Tokyo ahead of Thursday’s WBSS Bantamweight Ali Trophy final at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
The final is guaranteed to produce plenty of fireworks as both stars are looking sharp, healthy and fit three days ahead of their hotly-anticipated encounter for the ‘Greatest Prize in Boxing’.
“I’m very excited! It’s a great honour to be fighting Inoue in Japan.
“I have big respect for him, he looks ready, but that’s what we expect. I’m relaxed right now, but it doesn’t matter what we feel today, it’s what we do inside the ring on Thursday that counts.”
Nonito Donaire – WBA Bantamweight Champion
36-year-old Donaire is bigger and naturally more experienced than his 10 years younger opponent. Size will not be a factor, but his game plan and experience will explained the veteran.
“Like we saw with Canelo vs Kovalev, height doesn’t matter, size doesn’t matter. Ultimately it’s about the game plan, and I believe I have the game plan to beat Inoue. And my experience will carry me through.”
Nonito Donaire – WBA Bantamweight Champion
Inoue is facing the most decorated opponent of his career.
“Nonito’s only advantage is his experience, he has been in many big fights. He is taller and his reach is longer, but that’s something we have prepared for.
“Training camp is over. Now it’s time to recover and relax until fight night. The only thing I need to do is making myself 100 % and show everything that I have in the ring.”
Naoya Inoue – IBF Bantamweight Champion
On Tuesday the pair will meet again at the final press conference before the final.
DAZN, the world’s largest dedicated live sports streaming service, will exclusively bring U.S. fight fans the WBSS Season II Finals.
Stupid title.
Size DOES matter – that’s what we saw.
Nonito stayed all 12 rounds and would KO Inoue had he went for the kill in 9th.
Kovalev stayed till 10th with just jabbing and nothing else.
What are you talking about? The title is a quote that came directly from Nonito Donaire. Also, you go into what you saw in the actual fight but this article was printed BEFORE the fight. So what the hell are you talking about?!