Donaire: “Size doesn’t matter, a game-plan does”

‘Monster’ Naoya Inoue (18-0, 16 KOs) and Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire (40-5, 26 KOs) were both in confident moods at Monday’s medical check in Tokyo ahead of Thursday’s WBSS Bantamweight Ali Trophy final at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

The final is guaranteed to produce plenty of fireworks as both stars are looking sharp, healthy and fit three days ahead of their hotly-anticipated encounter for the ‘Greatest Prize in Boxing’.

“I’m very excited,” said Donaire. “It’s a great honour to be fighting Inoue in Japan.

“I have big respect for him, he looks ready, but that’s what we expect. I’m relaxed right now, but it doesn’t matter what we feel today, it’s what we do inside the ring on Thursday that counts.”

36-year-old Donaire is bigger and naturally more experienced than his 10 years younger opponent. Size will not be a factor, but his game plan and experience will explained the veteran.

“Like we saw with Canelo vs Kovalev, height doesn’t matter, size doesn’t matter. Ultimately it’s about the game plan, and I believe I have the game plan to beat Inoue. And my experience will carry me through.”

Inoue is facing the most decorated opponent of his career.

“Nonito’s only advantage is his experience, he has been in many big fights,” said Inoue, talking through a surgical mask. “He is taller and his reach is longer, but that’s something we have prepared for.

“Training camp is over, now it’s time to recover and relax until fight night. The only thing I need to do is making myself 100 % and show everything that I have in the ring.”

On Tuesday the pair will meet again at the final press conference before the final.

DAZN, the world’s largest dedicated live sports streaming service, will exclusively bring U.S. fight fans the WBSS Season II Finals.

Photo: Naoki Fukuda