Naoya Inoue and Nonito Donaire meet in the final of the World Boxing Super Series on Thursday with their IBF and WBA bantamweight titles on the line.
Japan's Inoue has established himself as one of the most fearsome fighters in the sport, soaring up almost everyone’s pound-for-pound list with a series of devastating performances that have shown just why they call him ‘The Monster.’
At 26, he is a three-weight world champion having taken down all those in his path with 16 of his 18 professional bouts ended by KO.
Inoue’s absurd punching power has seen him blast through the bantamweight division, taking just three rounds to collectively dispatch Juan Carlos Payano and Emmanuel Rodriguez in the quarter-final and semi-final stages of the World Boxing Super Series. Neither man had been stopped as a professional before stepping inside the ring with Inoue.
Donaire is undefeated in this weight class, taking the WBA strap from Ryan Burnett in November last year on a night where the Belfast fighter was stricken by injury.
The 36-year-old Filipino is comfortably Inoue’s most difficult opponent to date, having won world titles across four divisions.
The World Boxing Super Series has served up thrilling finales across multiple weights across the last few years - with October's classic between Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis perhaps the best of the bunch.
Inoue is out to add the Muhammad Ali Trophy to his ever-growing collection.
Date, UK start time and venue
Boxing fans are getting a rare midweek treat with Inoue vs Donaire taking place from the slightly unusual time of 12:05pm (GMT) on Thursday 7 November.
Inoue returns to his homeland with the WBSS final taking place at the Super Arena, Saitama.
TV channel and live stream
Sky Sports have picked up broadcasting rights for this cracking unification clash.
The fight will be shown live on Sky Sports' Action and Mix channels, and is available via Now TV with a day pass on offer for £8.99.
Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.
Betting tips via Betfair Exchange | UK users only | Subject to change
- Inoue to win: 1/10
- Donaire to win: 13/2
- Draw: 33/1
Prediction
Donaire is a veteran of some huge championship fights across the planet, a superb fighter in his prime and a hugely respected figure in the sport. He is, however, coming to the end of his career and Inoue is now operating on a different level, stopping opponents with ease and honing a reputation as perhaps the deadliest one-punch knockout artist in boxing right now.
Donaire's experience and the mutual respect between the two could ensure this lasts longer than Inoue's more recent outings, but another hugely impressive KO is surely on the cards.
Fourth round stoppage win for the Japanese star.
Undercard
It could be a big day for the Inoue family.
Before the main event - Naoya's brother Takuma Inoue challenges Nordine Oubaali for his WBC bantamweight title. Both fighters come into the bout undefeated.
