Naoya Inoue Dealing With Facial Fractures
IBF/WBA “Super” World Bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue passed the toughest test of his career during his November 7 win over Nonito Donaire in the finals of the WBSS Bantamweight tournament. We now know the danger and distress he was put through.
During a November 9 press conference in Tokyo, Inoue (19-0, 16 KO’s) and co-promoter Hideyuki Ohashi revealed the fighter is dealing with much more than a cut right-eye suffered in the second round (which required five stitches).
Inoue told the gathering media he suffered both a fractured orbital bone and a fractured nose during the fight!
“I told them that there was nothing abnormal in my right eye, but I fractured the orbital bone of the right eye with a left hook in the second round. Fortunately, they did not operate on me and I will be at rest.”
The champ went on to say he will be re-evaluated next month to see how well his injuries are healing.
Before the win over Donaire, Inoue and Ohashi signed a co-promotional deal with Top Rank/ESPN. According to the deal, the Japanese superstar would fight three times in 2020. His first two bouts will take place in the United States,
Inoue’s next appearance was to take place in the Spring of 2020. While that may be up in the air now due to the facial damage, the fighter and manager said it will not affect his plans and the deal with ESPN/Top Rank.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
