Nonito Donaire’s thoughts and prediction on Inoue-Nakatani
By Anson Wainwright
Former four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire is excited at the prospect of this weekend’s all-Japanese between undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue and three-division world champion Junto Nakatani.
The 43-year-old has decided if he’ll be in Tokyo, Japan, for the superfight or will watch on TV, either way, he’s expecting a fun fight.
“I think that’s an excellent fight – a must-see fight,” said Donaire. “I believe that fight is very entertaining. Both guys can hit, both guys are dangerous and the dynamic of their styles make this fight very entertaining.”
Donaire, who twice shared the ring with Inoue in losing efforts in 2019 and 2022, believes Inoue has to do what he does best.
“I think he needs to go out there and do what he does, be very aggressive, use his speed, his quickness and his ability to time his opponent well,” he said. “I think that’s his biggest component and cut the distance as quick as he usually does, along with his power, he will be very devastating.”
While he feels Nakatani has to use his three-inch height and one inch reach advantage as well as his southpaw style.
“Junto needs to neutralize his distance and his long range,” he explained. “I believe his neutralizes the jab and out of the range of Inoue. I think he’ll make the fight very difficult for Inoue. If he can do that it will be the key component to neutralizing Inoue’s ability.
“Inoue isn’t too familiar with southpaws, especially southpaw’s who aren’t afraid of him. Inoue has been taking control is because a lot of these guys are afraid of his power, the guys he’s fought have shown weakness with timidness, they’re gun-shy because they’re afraid to get make moves because they might get hit by something but I think Nakatani is one of those guys that’s going to go for broke, he’s not afraid to get hit, to take chances, not afraid to make moves and aside from that he’s southpaw.”
The two fighters appear to have been on a collision path for the past couple of years leading to his moment and Donaire says this is the biggest challenge for both fighters so far in their respective careers.
“This is for Japan’s No. 1 fighter,” he said. “I believe the best Inoue will come out and I believe the best Junto Nakatani will come out.”
Donaire can see a path to victory for both men but when pushed slightly leans toward one man.
“A lot of people will favor Inoue because he has the experience and weight,” he said. “Nakatani is coming up in weight, but I have to give the tall southpaw and not fearing Inoue. The one who establishes their style first will win the fight.
“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 have that distance. There is a huge difference in height, Nakatani does get hit because he fights in mid-range, a little step back utilizing that distance. We know Inoue is devastating when he comes down to executing his punches and able to land them.”
