Naoya Inoue vs Nonito Donaire 2 live fight updates 2022 WBC, WBA and IBF bantamweight boxing showdown
Naoya Inoue vs. Nonito Donaire 2 live fight updates, results, highlights from 2022 WBC, WBA and IBF bantamweight boxing showdown
Naoya Inoue and Nonito Donaire will finally meet in their keenly-awaited rematch after serving up an instant classic back in 2019.
Inoue (22-0, 19 KOs) retained his WBA and IBF titles against future Half of Famer Donaire but was cut and pushed all the way by the veteran Filipino.
The undefeated Japanese hero has gone back to demonstrating his shuddering knockout power with three subsequent wins inside the distance, although Donaire has also been in scintillating form.
Now 39, Donaire stopped the previously undefeated Reymart Gaballo in four last December to retain the WBC title and add further lustre to a truly mouthwatering return clash.
The Sporting News is following the fight liv, providing updates, highlights and commentary below.
Naoya Inoue vs. Nonito Donaire 2 odds, betting trends, predictions, expert picks for 2022 bantamweight title fight
Naoya Inoue vs. Nonito Donaire 2 live results, updates
7:20 p.m JST/ 6:20 a.m EST: There were some better moments for Furuhashi in rounds four and five but at, at the halfway stage, the main story of this bout is the incredible volume of Inoue uppercuts he's eating up. Furuhashi keeps coming forward, though, and if Inoue's punches aren't having an impact then his relentless pressure could turn the tide. Nevertheless, Inoue must be way up on the cards.
7:09 p.m JST/ 6:09 a.m EST: Takuma Inoue suffered the only defeat of his career to date on the undercard of the initial Inoue-Donaire encounter, dropping a points decision to Nordine Oubaali in a challenge for the WBC bantamweight title. A rebounding Donaire beat Oubaali in his first defence, so that loss for Inoue Jr is not an insignificant part of the story when it comes to today's three-belt unification.
Takuma Inoue is putting together some impressive work here, with Furuhashi's come-forward style leaving him exposed to punishing hooks and uppercuts. Round three was big for Inoue and it's hard to see this one going the 12-round distance if the action continues in this manner, even allowing for the fact that Inoue does not share his older brother's knockout pedigree.
6:52 p.m JST/ 5:52 a.m EST: Inoue is making his way to the ring. Calm down, don't spill your coffee or beverage of choice... it's the main man's younger brother Takuma Inoue. He's fighting compatriot Gakuya Furuhashi and putting his WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight title on the line. Furuhashi's Japanese bantamweight title is also up for grabs.
6:40 p.m JST/ 5:40 a.m EST: On Top Rank's buildup show, they're reviewing the sensational initial meeting between Inoue and Donaire. Why not enjoy the whole thing just below?
6:20 p.m JST/ 5:20 a.m EST: Before the first bell when the pair met at the same Saitama venue in November 2019, it was hard to envisage anything other than an Inoue rout. 'The Monster' had blasted his way through the 118lbs division with his shuddering power and Donaire had taken the eyebrow-raising decision to step down from featherweight a year earlier despite his veteran status. Inoue got the job done but he had to come through heavy weather as he was hurt and suffered facial damage. What's more, the action was sensational throughout. Let's hope they pick up where they left off.
6:00 p.m JST/ 5:00 a.m EST: Hello and welcome of our live coverage of Naoya Inoue vs. Nonito Donaire 2. The keenly anticipated rematch of their 2019 classic is around three hours away. Inoue's WBA and IBF belts will be on the line once again, with Donaire also bringing the WBC crown to the table.
Naoya Inoue vs. Nonito Donaire 2 start time
Date: Tuesday, June 7
Start time: 5:30 a.m. ET | 10:30 a.m. BST
Main event: 8 a.m. ET | 1 p.m. BST (Approximately)
Inoue vs. Donaire 2 takes place at the Saitama's Super Arena. Event coverage begins at around 5:30 a.m. ET. Inoue and Donaire should make their way to the ring around 7:30 a.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch Naoya Inoue vs. Nonito Donaire 2
TV channel: ESPN+, YouTube
The Inoue vs. Donaire 2 main card will air on ESPN+.
Top Rank will show the bout on their YouTube channel in the U.K.
Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.
Naoya Inoue vs. Nonito Donaire 2 fight card
Naoya Inoue (c) vs. Nonito Doniare (c) for the WBC, WBA (Super), IBF, and The Ring bantamweight titles
Takuma Inoue vs. Gakuya Furuhashi; super-bantamweights
Andy Hiraoka vs. Shun Akaiwa; super-lightweights
Toshiya Ishii vs. Hikaru Fukunaga; super-bantamweights
Kanamu Sakama vs. Fuki Ishigaki; light-flyweights
