Did you know that after the fight, donaire asked inoue to borrow his trophy for a night because he promised his sons to bring the trophy home which the Japanese guy granted?.. great sportsmanship and friendship

Donaire proves in this fight he is one of the best. This is the toughest fight Inoue had ever been, and yet he is pound-for-pound today's best.

The back and forth, the injury, the knock down, the constant action every single second for 12 entire rounds. Just the pinnacle of what boxing can be when fought by the best.

This is by far the toughest fight I've ever seen Inoue in. And it's no surprise that it was against Donaire. No matter your weight division in boxing, you need to have a good chin & body to take good punches or you won't be able to win/defend any titles. And Inoue showed that in this fight.

I've never seen Inoue so exhausted like this in all his outings. All other matches are simply boxing, but against Donaire... it's WAR. At the end of the war is SPORTSMANSHIP at its finest.

Donaire is already out of his prime and he still stood toe to toe with Inoue, who was considered to be extremely lethal. That's just mental.

Seeing that they’re ready to hug each other after the bell really says a lot about them. Great fighters

The immediate embrace at the conclusion of the fight is heartwarming.

This fight was the purest form of boxing I have seen. Amazing performance from two amazing athletes!

13:50 Unbelievable sportsmanship. You can tell these two athletes have tremendous respect for each other. I wish to see more display of humbleness like this in the west.

so much respect for both fighters. Nonito Donaire took a huge blow at round 5 then came back strong and had Naoya the next few rounds... then that insane body blow.. at round 11 from Naoya and for Nonito to come back up from that and still had some mean counter hooks for Naoya... that was INSANE. Respect.. both finished all the way through to 12 rounds. such an amazing fight.

この試合見てて涙が出るわ😢 試合内容も、試合後も最高すぎる。

That's real boxing! Two highly skilled gentlemen giving absolutely everything to be number 1. Amazing.

Damn I felt proud for both fighters. They fought like real warriors. What a way to represent their countries. 💯

One of the best pure fights of recent history. Both elite guys that were pushed to their limit

Japanese crowd is the best ✊✊ just pure enjoyment!

Its like watching two titans clashing, probably one of the best fights ive ever watched

Absolutely love the respect shown by both fighters for each other. Great sportsmanship.

I'm re-watching this after Inoue won his 5th title. It's just makes me smile that coincidentally that counter right he got hit with in round 9 is the punch he used to win KO Fulton.

This fight will never get old...best fighters ..

This was an AMAZING fight. What heart from both of them! And the sportsmanship. Real credits to the sport.

fully respect to Nonito for his Gentlemen to the opponent and also for his ability and tough to fight naoya. i think it was the closer fight that Naoya ever had.

5:29 and 9:23. Both fighters threw visually the same punch that rocked it each other respectively. What an amazing match up.

If all boxing matches were this top notch I'd consider watching again. This was a great one fought between two excellent fighters. Amazing.

at his age donaire still can fight like this at the highest level... he is truly legendary... and inoue.. we saw the future of japan boxing.. for me he is the greatest Japanese boxer of all time he can take out the boxing world by storm...

This is Naoya's toughest fight by far. Respect for both of these men, especially Nonito who is way past his prime still giving Naoya one tough fight.

Boxeadores de altisimo nivel Un lujo ver estas peleas Gracias!!!

The The Monster is just too quick, powerful and slick for anyone in his weight class up to now. Donaire is also an excellent Fighter and really pushed the Monster to give his Best. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a better fight and I’ve been watching for 55+ years.

When the highlight is this long, you know it was a good fight

Man, Donaire was tough as shit in this fight. Those punches he took, floored and ko'd most of Inoue's opponents, Donaire took a gazillion of those and managed to finish the fight. Credits to Inoue too, he took 2 left hooks from hell, and didn't even go down, the punch that knocked out Montiel, Darchinyan and Young. What a fight!

What a battle. You don't see many like this one. All the way to the end. My hats off to both of them.

Great great sportmanship! The world needs more like this fight and pair of professionals.

How could anyone dislike this fight 🤦‍♂️ This is everything fight fans dream of...huge respect to all involved an the utmost honour to both fighters ❤️

I am a Filipino and I usually hate it when a fellow Filipino fighter loses in the ring. But this is an exception. Got to love Inoue's humble nature. Hold on to it man. You'll need it as you ascend into greatness.

Respeto y humildad entre estos dos boxeadores, eso los hace aún más grandes.

thats how a boxing fight should be..give your all and dont be scared to get knocked out for the fans unlike mayrunner who fights not to win but only not to lose..

14:00日本語で「ありがとう」ドネア選手は素晴らしい 大好きです

You can say that this is the best fight because everything is clean. And they even showed everyone their sportsman ship.

I've never watched a better fight, both of these guys have lion hearts!! I don't know how he got up from that body shot and then started fighting back and landing solid punches.

✨🇯🇵🤝🇵🇭✨

Im a filipino boxer and a weeb at the same time. And Im really amazed by these two. I have equal respect for them.

Definitely need to see these two again. They bring out the best in each other

感動。 両者共に史上最高のボクサーです。

Man, going back to it this was one of the most exciting match I've ever watch. Both fighters have a champion heart. 🇵🇭🇯🇵

I worked a 12 hour shift, got home and this fight was barely starting, by the end of the fight I still couldn’t sleep from how hyped i was and it was 7 am

No wander this fight was awarded as the Best fight of that year. My eyes were mesmerized with Donaire's and Inoue's counter. They've showed us high level techniques.

A fantastic fight! They both are true warriors.

I love rewatching this from time to time. Reminds me how awesome boxing is. Class act warriors too

Donaire! The only one who tested Inoue. Much respect for him, as he was somewhat past his prime here

goosebumps. you know when the fight is great when the home crowd is cheering when the opponent is getting up from a knockdown. they poured their hearts and being into their duty as a boxer which is very appealing to the japanese sensibility

Потрясающий бой, без грязи , без унижений респект

In the twilight of his career Nonito Donaire put on one of the best performances of his career against a monster like Inoue and the respect at the end of just a treat to the eyes from two professionals 😊

Not gonna lie, the level of respect of both towards each other was heartwarming.

This should have been voted as the fight of the decade! Both are great fighters with big hearts!

Mis respetos para estos dos grandes gladiadores ninguno merecía perder en mi punto de vista este peleon fue empate saludos 🇵🇭 y 🇯🇵 dede 🇲🇽 👏👏👏👏💯🎉

人生で初めてちゃんと見たボクシングの試合がこれだった。互いが魂をぶつけ合う姿、高度な駆け引きに心を奪われて、ボクシングっていいなと心から思った。この素晴らしい世界に連れてってくれた井上とドネアには心から感謝している。

Donaire is so underrated and when you think of the duration of his career and the opponents he has fought and conquered, I give him so much kudos as a fighter and an iconic philipino boxer Donaire still dancing on air!

Arguably one of the best fights ever! I still get chills with this. Pure blood sweat and tears for both. The live audience were so lucky

I don’t get bored watching this fight over, over again. The rematch should be even better

Inoue was tested by a monster past his prime. An old lion is still a lion it seems... Prolly the hardest fight Inoue took so far in his boxing career.

Wow! Now that’s a fight! A lot of respect to Nonito. He’s one tough champ to fight a 26 yr old champ that’s 11 years younger than him. He sure has a lot of fuel in him still at his age.

A modern classic. Today perhaps it is not as appreciated as it should be as it is a lower weight fight, but if there is still analysis of good boxing, this fight should age as one of the best of all time. Hall of fame material on both sides...

WoW what an explosive fight. Very well matched.

The best part of this video is the genuine respect they showed for each other at the end of the fight.

best fight in my book rn, can't believe how this entire fight was a highlight!

both has ko power, technically skilled, fast hands... this match up is a gem. although I wish it was a younger Donaire, result will be otherway for sure

Close fight. But that bodyshot closed the fight for Naoya. This is pure boxing.

No dead air. All action from the start to the end with matching showcasing of true sportsmanship!

Definitely the fight of the no question about both of their hearts this guys are a good sample of a true boxer both Humble...💖💪💪💪💪

Me gustaría que ambos hubieran tenido 30 años..hubiera sido una pelea histórica. Me sorprendió el aguante de Donaire a su edad. Dos cracks

When I saw the great Iron Mike recognizing Inoue I knew he's got something special and he delivered. Nonito gave his all and I felt bad that he lost. I appreciate the respect they accorded each other.

After the match, both Donaire and Inoue showed us and acknowledged themselves that they've got the great opponent on them. That's what sportsmanship really is. Big Respect to these two legends.

Donaire wasn't even supposed to go the distance, what tremendous heart and give Inoue one of his toughest fight.

Non-stop pounding with excellent boxing skills, stamina, sportsmanship, and guts from both fighters. Clean boxing at its best.

En Esta Pelea Es Dónde INOUE, Demostró Que Además de Ser "Un Gran Campeón"... También Es "Un Tremendo Guerrero", y a Pesar de La Tremenda Lesión En (El Hueso De La Zona del Ojo) Con Corazón de León, Siguió y Ganó Merecidamente El Combate, Casi Ganando Por Nocaut al Gran Nonito Donaire.!

fantastic fight, fantastic highlights. First time I've seen Inoue really tested. Donaire hardly took a back step, just kept pressing forward. Both fighters are true warriors.

One of the best fights ever, can’t deny the respect these two have for the game

Excelente pelea,felicidades a Inoue

Not only did Inoue take a beating, but then dish it right back out, what a class fighter. Both fighters deserve respect as much as they gave each other.😊😊😊

This fight reminded me of the 1st Pacquiao/Morales fight. Two greats going toe-to-toe. All action, hardly no clinches. Both fights should be in the Top 10 of best fights ever!

Naoya and Nonito has a History before they even fought. Years ago when Naoya was still a very young up coming boxer he met Nonito in Japan. Nonito trained with him for a little bit and gave him some advice. He has tremendous respect to Nonito. This is the reason why he went to Nonito and Bow Downed to him after the fight. It is a Japanese Tradition to show respect. On Top of that Naoya let Nonito keep the Trophy for One Night. Nonito asked Naoya if he could borrow it because he promised his kids that he would bring the Trophy. Naoya respectfully let him Borrow the Trophy for One Night.

Just like pacquiao and morales,,,two great gladiators in the ring,one the best fight I ever have witnessed...

Mis respetos para nonito donaire una gran pelea que le dio a inoue. Y a los dos gracias por el espectaculo.

Donaire has some heart. Too many times a boxer gets hit good then spends the rest of the fight in retreat mode. These dudes have awesome hearts!

Both fighters showed a lot of heart. Great match! A+

its crazy how inoue struggled in this fight and won the next fight by 2nd round KO victory, this shows inoue leveling up his skills

Both amazing! Both a winner

As a fan I appreciated these two boxers tremendously, slugging it out, no hit and run and no grabbing and holding. It was really close but the right call...kudos to both.

Beautiful sportsmanship- two incredible warriors

True sportsmanship at the highest level.

Something special to watch Much love and respect for both. Wow that was amazing.

Fierce! What a battle! Look at the last round, the end where they just duking it out! And such sportsmanship. Both of them. In the end naoya pay respect to the legend. Incredible

BOTH CAME TO FIGHT AND DID. GREAT SPORTSMANSHIP. GREAT FIGHT!!!!

That was some fight. We found out later that Donaire had broken Inoue's orbital bone and his nose. That he fought through that was bravery personified. It could have gone both ways.

Excelente combate

Que guerreros, que boxeadores, como las batallas de Erik Morales y Antonio Barrera ...

amazing heart for both, marvelous fight!

What a great fight! a lot of heart shown by Nonito. And Noaya is a beast!

Naoya fought with a broken orbital bone from round 4 and on. Billy Joe Saunders quit in the fight against canelo with that same injury. Inoue went another 8 rounds with a broken face.

14:24 井上「あー重たい」