Passing the Baton – Inoue vs. Donaire II

Half a year ago I published an article titled "Inoue vs. Donaire II is the fight to make in the Bantamweight Division" – I wasn't wrong it seems as today, on the 7th of June 2022, watching live from my kitchen, I watched the fated rematch between the two modern day greats: the old generation and the new colliding. Donaire had done well to build himself up following their first outing in 2019, working through some of the top contenders of the Bantamweight division, putting them away with KO finishes in a convincing fashion. Inoue did much of the same, although his opponents were certainly of a lesser caliber. 

It was only natural to go into this fight cautious, both as a fighter and a spectator. Inoue may be my favourite boxer but it would be downright stupid to discount Donaire, especially after his recent performances. Will Inoue keep his zero? My friend assured me it would be an early KO but I didn't bite. I was sure that the only man to truly challenge Inoue would be a persistent thorn that was just as dangerous as the young Japanese boxer just entering his prime. Music swelled and the fighters made their ring walks, an excited guitarist playing along to Inoue's walk-in track. Time to let the fighters do the talking. The two rivals faced each other and it felt tense. I looked back on my article, and the feeling of the fight came upon me. I thought I was in for another twelve round war just like last year.

Inoue had other plans. The first 2 minutes and 50 seconds of the first round were slow, methodical – both men fenced with their feet, scoping out each other's defenses. They weren't the same fighters we saw in the 2019 fight of the year. It was do or die for the both of them this time. They carved the canvas of the ring as they hopped to and from each other, searching for that opening. Donaire barely landed any shots, but the occasional swift and slicing hook from Inoue found its target. You could hardly see it, it was quick. 

I turned away as I saw the clock tick down the last ten seconds and suddenly Donaire is on the canvas. A crisp overhand right took the Filipino Flash to the ground. It was a convincing knockdown, and Donaire must have felt fortunate that the bell rang very soon after. Round 1 was total domination on Inoue's part. 

I came into this fight thinking it'll be a late knockout: Inoue is aggressive and active from the start, but Donaire looked like that rare golden mix between experience and smart boxing. He didn't look anywhere near his almost 40 years, growing and evolving with every setback, having taken good care of his body for the whole of his career. But that image didn't last, as my reflecting thoughts were interrupted by the second and final knockdown of the fight. 

Round 2 was far worse for Donaire. Crisp hooks rocked the filipino and he stumbled, barely regaining his balance. Pushed to the ropes he focused on defending himself, working away at Inoue's body. The sound yet ill advised tactic didn't pay off – Inoue took the opportunity to work away at Donaire's chin. He rocked to the corner, planting his feet, but the barrage of jabs and crosses forced him to fold. The final cross tagged him cleanly across the face, and as he fell Inoue drove home a career-ending left hook to his fading opponent. The referee decided to call the contest off halfway through Round 2, calling an end to the rivalry.

Leaving the canvas, it's good we recognise it's not all bad for Donaire. He dared to dream and he couldn't cross the final gap, yet still he proved he could stand against an opponent who is above world class, and there is no shame in losing to the younger and better man. In many ways this is a passing of the baton from one hard puncher to another. Donaire almost twenty years ago now was a very similar boxer, if a little less technical than Inoue has proven himself to be. By losing to a better version of his younger self Donaire passes the baton to the next generation. Should he retire? Maybe. He's achieved more than so many other people in the business, and there's no loss in calling it quits now. But something tells me the Filipino Flash has some more fight in him, and I can't wait to see where both Inoue and Donaire go from today. 

But to end this article without celebrating Inoue would diminish the magnanimity of his achievement. Few if any people would argue against him being the greatest Japanese boxer ever. Even if we were to put aside the record setting three belts at Bantamweight (a first for Japan), the swiftness and ease with which he cannibalises the competition is almost unbelievable. The Bantamweight champions, holding WBC, WBO, and IBF belts, the three of them earned one by one during Inoue's conquest, all folded within the first four rounds. The only thing left is for Inoue to be recognised by the Western World as the P4P great he is – Canelo, facing opponents of a similar calibre, is less impressive against the Japanese boxer's blazing journey through the world ranks. I can't help but tune in everytime he fights. Which other boxer delivers such exciting contests, and doesn't shy away from a challenge? We've been spoiled, and we better enjoy Naoya Inoue while he's still active and shining bright.