Prime Nonito Donaire vs Prime Naoya Inoue (poll added) edit: at Bantamweight

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Devon, Jun 7, 2022.


Who wins?

  1. Donaire KO/TKO

    1 vote(s)
    12.5%

  2. Donaire PTS

    2 vote(s)
    25.0%

  3. Inoue KO/TKO

    1 vote(s)
    12.5%

  4. Inoue PTS

    4 vote(s)
    50.0%
  1. Devon

    Devon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Naoya Donaire from 10 or so years ago vs Inoue from today, and was today’s fight more Inoue’s improvement or Donaire’s decline? Because from the opening few minutes, Donaire still looked light on his feet and fast hands, has Inoue improved his IQ and timing?
    Who wins this matchup?
     
    Devon, Jun 7, 2022
    Devon, Jun 7, 2022
    #1
    PopPellegrino likes this.
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Both occuring matches were false.

    Naoya's injury in the first fight gave a false impression - Donaire's age gave a false impression in the second fight.

    In a prime-for-prime I'd expect to see Naoya Inoue take control of the fight at some point, whether that's the third, five, or ninth, and use that control to get a clean decision, most of the time.
     
    McGrain, Jun 7, 2022
    McGrain, Jun 7, 2022
    #2
    Jel, Dorrian_Grey, PopPellegrino and 2 others like this.
  3. Young Terror

    Young Terror ★ Griselda ★ Full Member

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    Inoue beats any version of Donaire.
     
    Young Terror, Jun 7, 2022
    Young Terror, Jun 7, 2022
    #3
    PopPellegrino likes this.
  4. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Could go either way, but I tend to back Donaire given Inoue's limited defense.
     
    NoNeck, Jun 7, 2022
    NoNeck, Jun 7, 2022
    #4
    Devon likes this.
  5. OP_TheJawBreaker

    OP_TheJawBreaker NOBODY hit like that guy! Full Member

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    I somewhat pick Donaire. Confidently.
     
    OP_TheJawBreaker, Jun 7, 2022
    OP_TheJawBreaker, Jun 7, 2022
    #5
    George Crowcroft and Devon like this.
  6. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s banned Full Member

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    This content is protected
     
    Journeyman92, Jun 7, 2022
    Journeyman92, Jun 7, 2022
    #6
    Boxed Ears likes this.
  7. Devon

    Devon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Bump (poll added).
     
    Devon, Aug 16, 2026 at 2:21 PM
    Devon, Aug 16, 2026 at 2:21 PM
    #7
    PopPellegrino likes this.
  8. PopPellegrino

    PopPellegrino Active Member Full Member

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    Inoue vs Donaire 1 is a pretty good reflection of what this fight might have looked like if it had happened when Donaire was in his prime, especially considering the injuries Inoue suffered going into the fight. I see it as a competitive decision win for Inoue.
     
    PopPellegrino, Aug 16, 2026 at 4:26 PM
    PopPellegrino, Aug 16, 2026 at 4:26 PM
    #8
    MagnificentMatt and Devon like this.
  9. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think the first fight between Inoue and Donaire is as close as we’ll ever get to see how a fight with both in their primes would play out. A prime Donaire will still lose to Inoue IMO. Inoue is just slightly more talented and skilled than any version of Donaire.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM
    #9
  10. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    I am forced to thumb this up due to Harada and font colour change sophistication. I do not have an option for not thumbing it up. I can see the anti-Harada agenda banned you for this brave and bold commentary. NWO BS, man.
     
    Boxed Ears, Aug 16, 2026 at 8:14 PM
    Boxed Ears, Aug 16, 2026 at 8:14 PM
    #10
    KO KIDD likes this.
  11. Dorrian_Grey

    Dorrian_Grey It came to me in a dream Full Member

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    Donaire gives him a couple scares and maybe puts him on the canvas instead of shattering his orbital bone, but I think as long as Inoue used his feet and stayed behind his jab, he would manage a close but clear decision.
     
    Dorrian_Grey, Aug 17, 2026 at 3:05 AM
    Dorrian_Grey, Aug 17, 2026 at 3:05 AM
    #11
  12. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Donaire was definitely better at 115. Inoue is definitely better at 122.
     
    NoNeck, Aug 17, 2026 at 7:24 AM
    NoNeck, Aug 17, 2026 at 7:24 AM
    #12
  13. Dorrian_Grey

    Dorrian_Grey It came to me in a dream Full Member

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    I think Inoue was at his best against Fulton but has been slowly fading since. His stretch from around Dasmarinas through Fulton I think was him at his absolute best. The best prime Donaire performance imo is his demolition job on Sydorenko at 118. There isn't really that big a difference between them size-wise I don't think.
     
    Dorrian_Grey, Aug 17, 2026 at 2:04 PM
    Dorrian_Grey, Aug 17, 2026 at 2:04 PM
    #13
    KO KIDD likes this.
  14. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    I agree, but Fulton offered little in terms of hard punches so the fight probably didn’t feel much different to Inoue compared to 118.
     
    NoNeck, Aug 17, 2026 at 2:06 PM
    NoNeck, Aug 17, 2026 at 2:06 PM
    #14
    Dorrian_Grey likes this.