Inoue edges Donaire in classic Super Series finale

Naoya Inoue became a unified bantamweight champion as he won a thrilling World Boxing Super Series final against Nonito Donaire in Saitama. The three-weight world champion added the WBA ‘Super’ bantamweight title to his collection having already held the IBF strap since May as he claimed a unanimous decision over the Filipino following an enthralling and often brutal 12 rounds. The 26-year-old went into the bout as the overwhelming favourite given his unbeaten 18-fight record but was given a real scare by Donaire (40-5-0), who left the home favourite with a bad cut and a bloody nose after four rounds. The 36-year-old then looked close to being stopped in the fifth following a powerful combination from Inoue as he demonstrated why he has earned the nickname ‘Monster’ with 16 of his wins coming via stoppage. Inoue kept the pressure on but Donaire – a four-weight world champion – showed great determination as he came back to wobble the Japanese in the eighth. The Japanese was rocked again in the ninth before digging deep as he dropped Donaire in the 11th with a sickening body shot as he pushed for a late stoppage at the Super Arena in Saitama. Donaire was able to finish the fight though as Inoue claimed victory via the judges scorecards 116-111, 117-109 and 114-113 to clinch the Muhammad Ali trophy. “I had double vision since the second round,” said Inoue. “I’m so happy and proud of myself. I think Donaire was a true champion, he was very strong.”