Inoue unleashed 'hardest punch I've ever been hit with' - Donaire / Photo: Philip FONG - AFP
-
Merz tells France Mercosur trade deal must be ratified 'quickly'
-
World's richest 10% caused two thirds of global warming: study
-
New German finance minister says 'no time to lose'
-
Yemen's Huthis to keep attacking Israeli ships despite US deal
-
Hamas insists on 'comprehensive' deal to end Gaza war
-
Nations urge restraint in India-Pakistan clash
-
Weight-loss drugmaker Novo Nordisk slims sales forecast
-
Kremlin says taking 'all measures' to protect May 9 parade
-
Stocks mixed before Fed decision, China-US trade talks
-
Danish firm Orsted halts huge UK offshore wind farm project
-
Explosions and fire on the contested India-Pakistan border
-
Distillery layoffs send shudders across remote Scottish island
-
Hong Kong loosens rules for harbour reclamation
-
Israel's Gaza plan 'dangerous moment' for civilians: UN official
-
Kenya court fines teens for trying to smuggle protected ants
-
Kenya court fines ant smugglers for 'bio-piracy'
-
Young Barca earn respect but crave trophies after Inter heartbreak
-
Palestinians in razed West Bank hamlet vow to stay
-
Next pope faces 'difficult, complex' point in history, cardinals told
-
J-pop mega-group Arashi to disband after final tour
-
Inter seek Champions League final redemption after winning Barca epic
-
Pant under pressure as record IPL buy fails to justify price tag
-
BMW upbeat on riding out US tariff chaos
-
Cardinals hold last mass before conclave to elect pope
-
Ukraine, Russia trade aerial attacks ahead of WWII victory parade
-
'Prioritise peace': Nations urge restraint in India-Pakistan clash
-
Asian stocks rise as China-US trade talks boost optimism
-
Toxic mushroom victim said meal was 'delicious', Australian court hears
-
China's Xi heads to Moscow to beef up 'no limits' Putin partnership
-
World energy methane emissions near record high in 2024: IEA
-
White smoke: signalling a new pope down the ages
-
What's a cardinal? The 'princes' of the Church electing a new pope
-
Papal conclave by the numbers
-
The Vatican: a papal powerhouse, world's smallest state
-
Trump, Ukraine propel EU and UK towards defence pact
-
Syrian leader to meet Macron in first European visit
-
History beckons as cardinals gather to elect new pope
-
China's Xi aims to beef up 'no limits' Putin partnership
-
Hit by Trump cuts, journalists at Dubai-based US channel face uncertain future
-
Roglic gunning for Giro as Pogacar's absence leaves door open
-
Trump's White House creates own media universe
-
Sotheby's postpones historical gems auction after India backlash
-
Taiwan bicycle makers in limbo as US tariff threat looms
-
Tobacco town thrives as China struggles to kick the habit
-
Venezuelan opposition figures 'rescued', now in US: Rubio
-
China eases monetary policy to boost ailing economy
-
Haliburton stunner sinks Cavs as Pacers take 2-0 series lead
-
No rate cuts expected from US Fed facing 'unfavorable' conditions
-
'No one is illegal': Mormon women stage patchwork protest in Washington
-
Indonesia's silvermen beg to make ends meet
NYSE - LSE
| RIO | 0.52% | 60.11 | $ | |
| BTI | -0.34% | 44.41 | $ | |
| CMSC | 0.18% | 22.06 | $ | |
| NGG | -0.02% | 72.285 | $ | |
| RBGPF | 4.34% | 65.86 | $ | |
| BP | -0.55% | 28.245 | $ | |
| BCC | -5.7% | 87.48 | $ | |
| RELX | -0.53% | 54.64 | $ | |
| RYCEF | 0.38% | 10.43 | $ | |
| GSK | -0.54% | 37.3 | $ | |
| VOD | -2.17% | 9.465 | $ | |
| JRI | -0.31% | 13.01 | $ | |
| CMSD | 0.22% | 22.31 | $ | |
| BCE | -0.14% | 21.56 | $ | |
| SCS | -1.01% | 9.87 | $ | |
| AZN | -0.2% | 70.12 | $ |
Inoue unleashed 'hardest punch I've ever been hit with' - Donaire
Nonito Donaire said he was felled by "the hardest punch I've ever been hit with" as bantamweight king Naoya Inoue inflicted a sensational second-round stoppage on the Filipino veteran in Saitama.
The unbeaten Japan boxing great known as "Monster" scored his 20th KO victory in 23 fights to add the WBC title to his WBA and IBF belts in a breathless display of power punching.
In the pair's first, classic fight three years ago in the same arena, five-weight world champion Donaire fractured a bone in Inoue's face as the Japanese was pushed all the way before scoring a unanimous points victory.
But in Tuesday's rematch the 39-year-old "Filipino Flash" Donaire was demolished like never before in his storied career.
Just seconds before the end of an even first round, Inoue's lightning quick overhand right to Donaire's temple scrambled the senses of the future Hall-of-Famer and sent him sprawling.
"That was the hardest punch I've ever been hit with. I came up completely blank," Donaire said to fans live on his YouTube channel following the defeat.
"When I got hit I didn't even know I got dropped. I didn't see that punch coming at all because I was trying to counter him and got caught. That was pretty much it."
In round two a barrage of precision power punches from Inoue induced wobbly legs in the gutsy Donaire before a second knockdown saw the referee call off the contest.
Donaire had only been stopped once in his previous 48 fights.
He paid tribute to the 29-year-old Inoue, regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound puncher in world boxing.
"He's an amazing fighter and I'm glad I got to share the ring with him," said Donaire.
"Inoue got me really good and I'm glad the referee stopped the fight as I was always going to stand up -- I just don't have any quit in me.
"It is what it is. I'm only grateful that I'm healthy."
A.Malone--AMWN