Naoya Inoue Wants To Face The Winner Of Casimero-Donaire

Naoya Inoue is coming off a third-round knockout of mandatory challenger Michael Dasmarinas to defend his his WBA/IBF belts.

After the win, the big question is who would Inoue fight next. He has been dominant throughout his career but is must-see TV. At his fight, however, were both WBO bantamweight titlist John Riel Casimero and recently crowned WBC champ Nonito Donaire. Those two are set to fight on August 14 and with them in attendance, Inoue wanted to have a statement win.

“It was on my mind,” Inoue admitted to reporters of his intention to impress Donaire and Casimero (via BoxingScene). “It served as motivation to show to them that I am out here as the best bantamweight in the world.”

Inoue did have a dominant performance as he put it on Dasmarinas. Many expected the champ to get the stoppage but the third round was earlier than expected.

Now, after the win, Inoue says he’s focused on fighting the winner of Casimero-Donaire later this year. It would be a highly-anticipated bout and Inoue says he has no problem waiting to prove who the best bantamweight is.

“I can wait out that fight,” insists Inoue, whose last appearance prior to Saturday came in a seventh-round knockout of Australia’s Jason Moloney last October in Las Vegas. “I don’t have a problem waiting until they fight and then face the winner. At bantamweight, those two are the only fighters who come to mind.”

Naoya Inoue (21-0) is not only one of the best bantamweights alive but one of the best boxers. The 28-year-old has been dominant and his win over Jason Moloney and a decision win over Donaire cemented his case as that. Although he already beat Donaire it still would be a big fight for him and the division.

Would you like to see Naoya Inoue vs. the winner of Casimero-Donaire?