Nonito Donaire walks the plank against Naoya Inoue

Nonito Donaire is a shoo-in to be inducted into The Boxing Hall of Fame. He’s won 42 of 48 fights, scoring 28 knockouts. In the twilight of his career, he captured the WBC bantamweight title with a devasting knockout over Reymart Gaballo. 

Donaire first tasted championship gold 15 years ago in the flyweight division. He’s moved up over the years to corral titles in the super bantamweight and featherweight divisions.  

On Tuesday morning in Japan, the now 39-year-old Donaire will throw hands with the man nicknamed "The Monster."

The moniker fits. Naoya Inoue, a native of Japan, has starched 19 victims in 22 bouts. His power is ferocious. Think a 5-foot-4-inch Godzilla. He’s held a version of a world title for eight years. Presently, he’s the WBA bantamweight titleholder. 

The two champions first met in 2019. Inoue entered the match a significant favorite. 

The bout turned into a war early. Donaire connected with a blistering left hook in round two. 

Inoure staggered Donaire in round five, but another left hook fractured the orbital bone in his left eye. A puffy-faced Donaire kept battling, tagging Inoue, bleeding from the right eye, with heavy shots while eating return fire. 

A liver shot late in the bout floored Donaire sealing the victory for Inoue. 

Both warriors spoke of battling again at some point. 

The day has arrived. Inoue is again favored though Donaire is live and confident. 

“I am heading into this monumental fight with a new mindset," Donaire said a few days ago at a press conference. "The first contest with Inoue was an awakening for me, and I now know I can defeat him."

Inoue is ready.

"People say Donaire can still do the business, but it’s not going to be that kind of fight."

I see Inoue winning by stoppage.