Nonito Donaire Says The First Knockdown Against Naoya Inoue Was The Hardest He’s Ever Been Hit

Nonito Donaire says he has never been hit harder than the first knockdowns against Naoya Inoue.

The two had their highly-anticipated rematch on Tuesday in Saitama, Japan and many were expecting a competitive fight. However, it was the exact opposite as Inoue blitzed Donaire early and landed heavy shots and knocked Inoue down twice, and got the second-round stoppage win.

Now, after the loss, Donaire has opened up on the loss and said he didn’t even realize he got dropped as he was that out of it. He also says that was the hardest he’s ever been hit in his entire career.

“When I got hit, I didn’t even know I got dropped,” Donaire confessed during a bonus post-fight installment on his Beyond The Ring with Nonito and Rachel YouTube channel (via BoxingScene). “I didn’t see that punch because I was trying to counter him and got caught. That was pretty much it. I will pretty much say that was the hardest punch I’ve ever been hit with. That first (knockdown), I came up completely blank. I didn’t see that punch coming at all.

“I didn’t even know what happened. I was trying to counter. All of a sudden I was on the floor and (referee Michael Griffin) was counting me,” Donaire added. “I was like ‘What is happening? Are you kidding me?’ Then I looked in the corner and Rach(el Donaire, Nonito’s wife/trainer/manager) said, ‘Put your hands up or he’ll count you out.’ And I’m like ‘Oh sh!t, I got dropped!’”

With the loss, Nonito Donaire is now 42-7 as a pro and is now 0-2 against Inoue. They first met in November of 2019 with Inoue winning by decision, after the loss, he rallied off two straight KO wins over Nordine Oubaali and Reymart Gaballo to earn the rematch.

Unfortnately, it did not go his way but for Donaire, all he cares about is the fact he’s healthy.

“It is what it is,” noted Donaire. “I’m very grateful that I’m healthy.”

Who do you think Nonito Donaire should fight next?