Naoya Inoue Vs. Nonito Donaire Rematch, Title Unification In Negotiations

The fight which many dubbed as fight of the year in 2019 might happen again.

Bantamweight WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine champion Naoya Inoue and WBC titleholder Nonito Donaire are in negotiations for a rematch and bantamweight championship unification for April in Japan, Donaire’s promoter Richard Schaefer, of Probellum, told Boxing Scene.

“This is definitely a fight we would love to do and Nonito would love to have it as well. We don’t have a problem going to Japan,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer said he’s in discussions with Inoue’s promoter Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions for the fight to be staged in Asia. Inoue is also co-promoted by Top Rank.

Inoue (22-0, 19 KOs) and Donaire (42-6, 28 KOs) first met on November 7, 2019 in Saitama, Japan as part of the World Boxing Super Series finals. Inoue scored a unanimous decision victory.

The slugfest saw Donaire hit the mat and Inoue force himself through a broken right eye socket.

Inoue has fought three times since then, all ending in knockout or technical knockout. Donaire, meanwhile, has fought twice and ended both of those by knockout.

“I can’t speak on behalf of Inoue, but I know that’s the fight he wants as well,” Schaefer added.

If Donaire can’t lock in Inoue, Schaefar said the Filipino star is open to fighting at 122 pounds, specifically with WBO and WBC champion Stephen Fulton.