Former four-division champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire has a renewed desire to return to the ring after witnessing his former rival Naoya “The Monster” Inoue defeat Ramón Cárdenas at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Inoue, the world super bantamweight champion, rose from the canvas and then dominated Cárdenas in a fight that reaffirmed his position among the world boxing elite. Donaire, age 42, expressed interest in facing any of the bantamweight champions, and he also specifically mentioned a possible fight against a former title holder, Takuma Inoue, who is Naoya’s younger brother. Donaire lost twice to Naoya Inoue, in 2019 and 2022. Donaire's last fight was a 2023 loss to Alexandro Santoago for a vacant bantamweight title.

 

In a statement, the Filipino great said: “Watching the [Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas] fight made me want to be in the ring again,” adding that he is ready for any opponent at bantamweight and is focused on regaining a world title before a potential unification bout against curretn WBC champion Junto Nakatani.

 

Donaire, a former flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight and (lineal) featherweight champion, hopes to be booked for a fight soon so he can once again demonstrate his strength in the ring, as well as his great punching power and speed, qualities that have led him to a record of 42-8 with 28 knockouts.