the fight that boxing has been waiting for  – World Boxing Association

Naoya Inoue and Nonito Donaire will finally meet again next Tuesday, June 7, in a showdown awaited by the entire boxing world. The Japanese, World Boxing Association (WBA) and IBF bantamweight champion, will face the Filipino, who holds the WBC belt in a unification at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. 

Inoue defeated Donaire in November 2019 in a memorable fight in which he had to deal with a fractured cheekbone in front of a legend like Donaire, who gave him possibly the most complicated fight of his entire career.

The fight was excellent in the eyes of the fans and the feeling remained that Donaire deserved another chance, which has come more than two years later. 

Since then, Inoue has defended against Jason Moloney, Michael Dasmarinas and Aran Dipaen, three wins that have helped him remain among the elite and remain one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. 

Donaire had to find his way and became world champion upon his return in May 2021 by defeating Nordine Oubaali by knockout. He then defended the crown in December against Raymart Gaballo also by knockout. 

The second clash between Inoue and Donaire generates a lot of expectation and both come at good times. The boxing world is ready to see them again and expects another great fight like the one in 2019.