By Tom Donelson / Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) … Contributor to dmboxing.com since 2008 with outstanding input and expertise
The last time the two fought in 2019, it was close bout and up for fight of the year as Inoue won the bout. Donaire won his next two fight by knockout and became champion at the age of 39 after coming down to bantamweight from featherweight. Inoue won three fights by knockout and both men came into the rematch bout with share of the title.
Inoue fought through a broken nose and orbital bone to win but this bout was not like the first one as Inoue took control almost immediately. He withstood a Donaire before an Inoue sent Donaire down. In the second round, Inoue simply took over and the 39-year-old Donaire had no answer. Inoue wobbled Donaire with a left hook followed by right hands before a left hook left wobbled Donaire. One more left hook dropped Donaire a second time and the fight was stopped.
Inoue connected on 42 punches out of 85 punches thrown in less five minutes. This was a masterpiece against a great fighter. In the second round, he connected with 29 punches alone before ending the fight.
It was easy victory for Inoue and now Inoue is looking for a match with John Riel Casimero who has WBO title. Casimero was scheduled to fight Donaire but now Inoue have an opportunity to unite the title.
Donaire in his career has titles in four divisions and as late as 2013, he was one of the top three pound for pound and he saw a career resurgence in recent years as he survived title defeats at 122 pounds and 126 pounds before going back to 118 pounds and won a title. At 39, he has reached heights very few fighters have and is a Hall of Fame boxer.
Inoue is the most natural fighter since Duran. He is a
True generational talent. His brother has been ranked by Ring
Magazine since early in his career before moving up in weight
and suffering his lone loss. Not a puncher, but an excellent boxer
Himself.