By Adam Baskin: Nonito Donaire admits that he made a mistake by choosing to brawl with IBF/WBA bantamweight champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue on Tuesday night, which was a leading factor in his second-round blowout TKO loss at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
It’s not the end of the world for Donaire, as he’s still arguably the #2 fighter in the bantamweight division. He can come back from this loss.
Donaire was hurt in the first round after getting flattened by a right hand by Inoue. In the second round, the ‘Monster’ Inoue finished the job, knocking the former four-division world champion Donaire for a second time to get the TKO victory.
The decision by the 39-year-old Donaire (42-7, 28 KOs) to trade with Inoue (23-0, 20 KOs) played to the Japanese star’s strengths, as he’s at his best when he’s facing fighters that slug with him.
The times that Inoue has had problems in the past is when he’s fought boxers, who made it difficult for him to land his lightning-fast power shots
“We came up short today, but I do appreciate you guys’ support and prayers,” said Nonito Donaire on Twitter following his loss to Naoya Inoue on Tuesday night in Saitama, Japan.
“We came in with a good game plan and in tremendous shape. I’ve never been in this shape my entire life, but with the implementation of my game plan, I got so caught up with wanting to brawl.
“That was my biggest flaw. I love brawling, and it’s hard for me to go and change that overnight. That’s the biggest mistake that I did, but it’s a learning experience.
“Inoue got me really good, and I was always going to keep fighting. I’m glad the referee stopped the fight because I was always going to stand up.
“That’s just a part of me. I don’t have any quit in me,” Donaire continued. “I just want to say thank you to everybody. I came in there with an amazing game plan. I trained really hard and I was very, very confident, but I didn’t implement the game plan early on.
“Inoue is an amazing fighter, and I’m glad that I get to share the ring with him and he, as well, said the same thing. So to everybody, thank you guys again.
“Thank you for all the support. Thank you again for all the things you said about winning & losing, it doesn’t matter, but I do truly appreciate that. Thank you, guys.
“I’m grateful that I’m healthy, I can talk to you guys, and I can eat now. I want to give my gratitude to all that supported me. I want to say that no matter what, I was never going to lay down. Inoue was amazing today, and he got the best of me. He got me good.
“Regardless if it’s a victory or a defeat, you always have to celebrate life.
Drama on Saitama 2 Aftermath https://t.co/R6K796jIHz
— Nonito Donaire – filipinoflash.eth (@filipinoflash) June 7, 2022