Inoue Vs Donaire II set for June 7th

Earlier today there was  huge press conference in Japan to announce the much anticipated rematch between Japanese star Naoya Inoue (22-0, 19) [井上 尚弥] and Filipino legend Nonito Donaire (41-6, 27), in a bout to unify the WBA "Super", IBF and WBC Bantamweight titles.

The bout will take place on June 7th at the Saitama Super Arena, the same venue that hosted the first bout between the two men, back in the WBSS Bantamweight Final in 2019, a bout dubbed the "Drama in Saitama", and will see Amazon Prime Video show casing the bout in Japan, with the broadcast set to be their second world title bout in the country, following on from the April 9th clash between IBF Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (41-1-1, 36) [Геннадий Геннадьевич Головкин] and WBA "Super" Middleweight champion Ryota Murata (16-2, 13) [村田 諒太]. Interestingly it was reported back in January that Amazon Prime were interested in the bout, and it seems they are committed to showcasing the biggest names in Japanese boxing, though at the moment no international broadcasters have been announced. It could be that Amazon Prime will look to retain all rights and broadcast it internationally, which would be a huge statement of intent by the service to get involved in boxing, or we could see Sky Sports in the UK and ESPN in the US showing the fight.

At the press conference today Inoue was join in attendance by promoter Hideyuki Ohashi and his trainer, and father, Shingo Inoue.

At the event Inoue explained that he wasn't focused on the WBC title, a title currently held by Donaire, but instead on defeating Donaire. And also added that he's potentially going to move up in weight after this bout. Originally the hope was to secure a showdown with WBO champion Johnriel Casimero, though with Casimero needing to fulfil mandatory obligations, it now looks highly unlikely that that bout will ever take place, at least at Bantamweight.

Although wasn't at the event in person he was still there in spirit, delivering a video message as part of it and swore revenge for the result of their first bout, adding that he wanted to "Hunt the monster". He also spoke about how his speed and power have returned and that the first bout with Inoue was a big lesson, and that he had learned from that loss. 

Interesting Inoue also revealed some details of his training came, which will begin in the second half of April. Among the more interesting details were the fact he named the two guys he's going to be sparring with to prepare for Donaire. One of those is Genesis Servania (34-3, 16) whilst the other will be Japanese Youth Super Bantamweight champion Ryuya Tsugawa (9-1, 5) [津川 龍也].