Are the Seeds Being Planted For Naoya Inoue v Nonito Donaire II?
Naoya Inoue (20-0, 17 KOs) is scheduled to defend the unified IBF/WBA “Super” World Bantamweight titles against IBF mandatory bantamweight contender Michael Dasmarinas (30-2-1, 20 KOs), on June 19 at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada, live on ESPN. The champion and his co-promoter, Hideyuki Ohashi, held a press conference in his native Japan to discuss his upcoming bout. The topic of a rematch with newly crowned WBC World 118-pound belt holder Nonito Donaire (41-6, 27 KOs) also came up.
Both explained that camp is going smoothly and according to plan. Their entourage will leave for Las Vegas on June 9. Once in the United States, they will continue final preparations. While the Japanese superstar may have his attention on Dasmarinas, he also has an eye on what is potentially down the road. As reported by source Asian Boxing, Inoue and his promoter said should they get by Dasmarinas, they are looking at becoming the undisputed bantamweight champion of the world. They also revealed a desire to fight a rematch against Donaire.
SOMETHING COULD BE BREWING
This is very noteworthy. The two fought in the finals of the WBSS Bantamweight tournament in November 2019. In a fight that was ESPN’s 2019 Fight Of The Year, Inoue won a unanimous decision.
Following his May 29 win over Nordine Oubaali to capture the WBC title, Donaire expressed the same goal of becoming the undisputed bantamweight champion. He also said a rematch with Inoue is his priority.
Of course, a lot depends on the outcome of Inoue’s bout with Dasmarinas. However, are the roads being paved towards Inoue v Donaire II? Understand, Ohashi does not throw names just for the sake of doing so.
If this is indeed the case, boxing fans would not be adverse to it whatsoever. Their first fight was a terrific battle. There is no evidence to suggest a second fight would not be as good. Stay tuned to 3KingsBoxing for any further developments.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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