Don't you say Inoue is the best and most dominant boxer right now? How do you say that and then claim this is a 50/50 fight
I'm convinced Nonito and Rigo have been practising some kind of ancient esoteric voodoo magic in order to reverse the ageing process during this twilight final phase of their careers.
Donaire walked Gaballo down and stopped him to the body. He was having trouble landing his patented left hook, but adjusted and used crisp right hands that opened up Gaballo's body to land the killshot. Broke Burnett's hip. Savagely KO'd Young. Gave a great account of himself against Inoue. Savagely KO'd Oubaali. Savagely KO'd Gaballo. Donaire 3.0 is a very dangerous proposition for anyone at 118-122.
Good video and analysis. The Inoue went life and death against an old washed up Nonito brigade conveniently forget that, despite Nonito's advanced age, he was coming off a spectacular one punch KO of the Year contender in his previous fight, knocked out the unbeaten reigning WBC champ Norbaali in four rounds in his very next fight after Inoue who is a hard puncher and very good fighter in his own right and a fighter I rated, and KO'd the interim champ in his fight following that one. And they also conveniently forget that Inoue was fighting with a broken orbital socket from round 2 onward after Nonito detonated one of his biblical left hooks from hell on it. Inoue also suffered a broken pair of nostrils and said he was seeing double out of the eye after he suffered the injury to his orbital socket. A senior citizen? Past his best? Could look everyone of his 39 years next week? Absolutely but he was still very dangerous and one of the top 118 pounders in the world. The second best one in fact which is a testament to his greatness and it's not like there was any real noticeable decline in his speed, reflexes, ability to pull the trigger or punch resistance. Well not that I noticed anyway.
Donaire 3.0 is possibly the most dangerous version yet because he's well seasoned, actually patient now, selective with his punches, doesn't rely on his left hook, and is the biggest guy in the division. 3.0 is just a tick slower (meaning his shots are still extremely fast), no less durable, and that left hook is still gruesome. I also think he's been fighting with the Pacquiao chimp off his back (the expectations to follow in Pac's footsteps), so he's having a lot more fun now. Fun = confidence Inoue's in for a long night, imo.
I don’t want to say this is Nonito’s farewell fight after all the spectacular KO’s he’s given us over the years.. He’s going to go out on his shield though. Inoue is just too good.
No but he was the second best 118 pounder in the world, one of the sport's hardest punchers and KO artists, still very tough and formidable, and like I said, I firmly believe he has been practising an ancient esoteric brand of Filipino voodoo magic in order to reverse or at least slow down the ageing process. Rigo has clearly been casting spells too because up until a few years ago he was still super nimble and fast with the reflexes of a mongoose.
The narrative around Inoue-Donaire 1 is completely different if the ref didn't get in Inoue's way, then give Donaire a long count, and then let Donaire get back up after he finished counting to 10. Donaire has looked great back at 118, but Inoue stops him this time. I really hope he hurries up and moves up to 122 after this.
I'm just glad we're finally free of the Cassimero curse and the bantamweight division can finally move forward.
Whoever defeats Naoya Inoue first will be well remembered in boxing history, and I don't think it will be Nonito Donaire. I predict greater Naoya Inoue dominance this time.