Former opponent points to power and experience ahead of Tokyo Dome showdown
Nonito Donaire is backing Naoya Inoue to end matters inside the distance against Junto Nakatani this weekend live on DAZN at the Tokyo Dome. He points to Inoue’s ability to close the show once he lands clean and his experience at the weight as the difference.
Donaire, who fought Inoue twice, gave respect to both fighters but pointed to experience and finishing ability as the difference heading into the weekend bout.
“A lot of people will favor Inoue because he has the experience and weight. Nakatani is coming up in weight, but I have to give him credit. He’s a tall southpaw, and he’s not afraid of Inoue. The one who establishes their style first will win the fight,” Donaire said to the WBC.
He still sided with Inoue when it came to the outcome.
“I would go with Inoue. I believe it has to be a knockout because both guys are going to go for it. Nakatani needs to press the fight to control the distance. There is a big height difference, but Nakatani does get hit because he fights in mid-range. We know Inoue is devastating when he executes his punches and lands them clean,” Donaire added.
Donaire has firsthand experience with Inoue’s power and timing after their two fights. Their first meeting in 2019 went the distance in a high-level bout, while the 2022 rematch ended quickly with Inoue scoring a stoppage.
Nakatani enters as a rising name moving up in weight, looking to take over the top spot in Japan, but Donaire’s view is that Inoue’s ability to land clean, damaging shots will decide it.
The fight takes place this weekend at the Tokyo Dome, marking one of the biggest boxing events in Japan this year, with major attention around both fighters.