Naoya Inoue survives war with Nonito Donaire to become unified bantamweight champion in WBSS classic

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Tony Mogan7 November 2019

Naoya Inoue has become the unified IBF and WBA bantamweight champion after coming through the battle of his career with Nonito Donaire.

In a breathless World Boxing Super Series finale, Inoue was forced to go the distance for the first time in nine fights as Donaire turned in a performance for the ages against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.

The 26-year-old three-weight world champion however sealed a majority decision victory on the judges' scorecards to extend his professional record to 19-0 in front of a home crowd at the Super Arena in Saitama.

Since moving up to bantamweight, Inoue, currently no.4 four in the Ring Magazine's pound-for-pound rankings, has blasted his way through the best the division has to offer, stopping Jamie McDonnell, Juan Carlos Payano and Emmanuel Rodriguez inside two rounds before this afternoon.

AFP via Getty Images

Many tipped him to dispatch 36-year-old Donaire is similarly ruthless fashion. But the veteran Filipino, himself a four-weight world champion, stood toe-to-toe with one of the hardest punchers in boxing, giving him serious problems after opening up a cut above his eye in just the second round.

The two traded throughout another Fight of the Year contest with Donaire standing firm in the fifth round against the shots that have devastated so many other fighters in the 118lbs divison.

Inoue's reputation as one of boxing most fearsome fighters was put in serious jeopardy in the ninth as Donaire rocked him with a sensational counter right, leaving his opponent reeling for the first time in his career.

AFP via Getty Images

Inoue, already bloodied by that second round cut, was left with blood gushing from his nose with that defiant late assault leaving him on the brink of a first defeat - and boxing with the possibility of a result that would rock the sport.

A monster body shot in the 11th round however tipped the fight back in Inoue's favour, with Donaire somehow making the referee's count. Inoue continued his assault in the final round, with judges scoring the fight 116-111, 117-109 and 114-113 in his favour.

Inoue and Donaire embraced after their battle with the new unified champion revealing in his post-fight interview the shot that left him with a second round cut also affected his vision.

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I had double vision since the second round, but I was victorious and I am very proud of myself. I believe that I have a bright future… Nonito Donaire was very, very strong. I think Donaire is a true champion.”

On the undercard, Takuma Inoue, Naoya's younger brother, launched his own world title challenge against WBO bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali.

Lacking his brother's obscene power, however, Takuma struggled to hurt the champion and after a fourth round knockdown, fell to an unanimous decision win.

7 November 2019

Inoue stat pack

The fearsome numbers behind the 26-year-old knockout-laden rise

  • Inoue, already a three-weight champion, has a staggering KO-to-win ratio of 88.89%.
  • Five of his last six fights have ended within three rounds.
  • The 26-year-old knocked out Juan Carlos Payano (first round) and Emmanuel Rodriguez (second round) to reach the WBSS final.
  • Neither Payano nor Rodriguez had been stopped in their career before stepping in the ring with Inoue.
  • Before that, he took on former British, Commonwealth, European and IBF bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell.
  • Inoue stopped him in two minutes
7 November 2019

A bit of light-flyweight action to get us started this morning: Shokichi Iwata vs Alejandro Valladares

7 November 2019

The Ring Magazine rankings

The latest rankings from The Ring Magazine have a new no.1 with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez leapfrogging Vasyl Lomachenko into top spot after taking the WBO lightweight crown from Sergey Kovalev over the weekend.

Naoya Inoue currently sits fourth behind third place Terence Crawford - victory today could lift him further up that list.

7 November 2019

Route to the final: Naoya Inoue

As mentioned earlier, Inoue's has blasted his way through every opponent to reach this afternoon's final. He needed just one minute and 10 seconds to break down Juan Carlos Payano in his quarter-final match, marching into the semi after barely breaking a sweat.

UK fight fans were given a closer look at 'The Monster' in May as he travelled to Glasgow to stop Emmanuel Rodriguez in round two with another outrageous display of power. 

7 November 2019

Route to the final - Nonito Donaire

At 36, Donaire has fought his way to the final of the World Boxing Super Series, a competition that has served its purpose quite brilliantly over the last few years.

It has to be said though., the Filipino fighter has benefited from some luck along the way.

Donaire secured a fourth round stoppage victory over Ryan Burnett in his quarter-final match, also taking the Belfast fighter's WBA title in the process.

That night however, Burnett was undone by a seemingly freak back inury, with Adam Booth stopping his man from coming out for the fifth round after he barely got to his feet at the end of the previous one. Burnett has since retired at just 27.

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A meeting with Zolani Tete awaited in the semis but a shoulder injury forced the WBO champion out of that contest. In stepped Stephon Young, who was stopped with a sublime sixth round KO. 

7 November 2019

Carl Frampton's message

After meeting in the ring in 2018, Carl Frampton and Nonito Donaire have been pals since. The Belfast fighter has passed on his best wishes ahead of the 36-year-old's latest challenge this afternoon.

7 November 2019

Family affair

Also on the card today is Takuma Inoue. The 23-year-old challenges for another bantamweight tite, thw WBC belt currently held by Nordine Oubaalli. 

Like his older brother, Takuma is also undefeated as a pro with 13 wins under his belt. 

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7 November 2019

Inoue's devastating record

The man they call 'The Monster' has a fearsome knockout ratio of 89% having stopped 16 of his 18 opponents with the manner of his victories only getting more vicious.

Since moving up to bantamweight, his last three victories have come against Jamie McDonnell, Juan Carlos Payano and Emmanuel Rodriguez. None had been stopped as a professional before stepping in the ring with Inoue.

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The Japanese star dominated each of them from the opening bell, with the three fights lasting a collective six minutes and 80 seconds. 

McDonnell was a former British, Commonwealth, European and IBF bamtamweight champion. Payano had just one career loss and had never been stopped. Rodriguez was the reigning IBF champion and had a perfect professional record. 

7 November 2019

Lunchbox(ing)

Ringwalks for Inoue vs Donaire are scheduled for 12:05pm UK time, so have your sandwiches ready. 

7 November 2019

Good morning and welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of the World Boxing Super Series final between Naoya Inoue and Nonito Donaire.

The Muhammad Ali Trophy and the IBF and WBA bantamweight titles are on the line this afternoon as knockout artist Inoue looks to put on another devastating performance in front of a home crowd. 

We have all your build-up and undercard coverage on the way as we count down to the main event. 

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