Inoue vs. Donaire II is the fight to make in the Bantamweight Division

The Bantamweight Division, generally lacking in superstars, has two outlying fighters who carry the division on their backs: 

The undefeated Naoya "Monster" Inoue and the veteran Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire.

Granted, saying the Bantamweight division is dead is a little harsh. But hear me out. 

Inoue is stuck fighting low-ranked opponents to fulfil his yearly fight quota. His most recent opponent, Aran Dipaen, was ranked fifth by the IBF (I believe), however his winning record lacked any notable names and naturally Inoue was the betting favourite. 

Donaire is on a similar path, slowly picking through the division's strongest fighters. Looking to prove that age isn't a factor in his career, he's knocked-out Reymart Gaballo and Nordine Oubaali and is the first to defeat either of them.

Despite Inoue and Donaire both being hungry for competition, the fighters in the top ten seem more content fighting amongst each other than challenging either of the champions. 

Now is the time, I believe, to make the fight between the two titans of the division. It is clear that both Inoue and Donaire are leagues above the rest of the fighters – their last few fights prove this.

Donaire put Gaballo away in three rounds, winning the bout with a K.O. Meanwhile Inoue has ripped through the Light Flyweight, Super Flyweight, Bantamweight, and Super Bantamweight divisions at an outstanding rate. 

The upper echelons of the top rankers can put up a good fight, that much is true, and Dipaen had forced his fight against Inoue to the eighth round earlier this December. However I cannot see anyone beating Nonito Donaire or Naoya Inoue in the next few years. 

2022 is the year for their rematch. The two fighters have proven their worth in this division, and moreover, Donaire has shown himself to the be the only man right now who stands a chance at defeating Inoue. 

Their first fight together in the finals for the Muhammad Ali trophy was Ring Magazine Fight of the Year for 2019. Clearly the two fighters have a lot to offer, and with their recent improvements, the rematch may look to be an even more exciting competition.

Inoue needs the career boost, as he has faced sub-par opponents throughout 2021. A rematch and victory against Donaire would elevate his standing in rankings further. Following their first fight, Donaire focused on rebuilding himself and becoming a stronger fighter than he was even during his prime. Facing and winning against the stronger Donaire would prove he deserves to be ranked among the top three in P4P lists.  

Donaire on the other hand has the unique chance to prove his career can still go on despite his age, as defeating an opponent of such high calibre would convince many that he still has much more to give. His first fight with Inoue led to a loss by Unanimous Decision. Donaire almost took the win in Round 8 where he rocked Inoue, although he failed to chase him down and was not able to finish the fight via a knockout or T.K.O. Having sharpened his senses, he will surely look for an early finish. 

I believe that sometime in either mid or late 2022 the two have to meet for their rematch.