Naoya Inoue was rocked to his core when a massive shot detonated on his chin.
In his sparkling career, ‘The Monster’ has proven himself as one of the most terrifying men to have ever walked the face of the Earth, rendering unconscious almost everyone who’s dared set foot inside the ring with him.
Bob Arum even went as far as to say Inoue is greater than Manny Pacquiao following the Japanese sensation’s last big win.
However, his career was nearly left in tatters when a future Hall of Famer rolled back the years and gave him all he could handle.
WOW: Naoya Inoue’s next opponent suffered a humiliating defeat to a journeyman
Nonito Donaire hurt Naoya Inoue with a massive shot
On November 7, 2019, Naoya Inoue went to war with Nonito Donaire in the final of the bantamweight edition of the World Boxing Super Series.
The crowd inside the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, were blown away as two icons of the sport traded punches for the WBA, IBF, WBC and Ring Magazine world titles.
While many expected the younger man to blow the veteran out of the water, the reality was anything but, with the Filipino going above and beyond to upset the applecart.
It didn’t take too long for the older fighter to make his presence felt, catching his rival with big shots on the chin.
However, by the fifth round, Inoue had adapted and almost had Donaire out with a big right hand.
Utilizing all his experience, the all-time great survived the storm, before unloading a huge shot in the ninth segment that left Inoue on wobbly legs, desperately trying to hold on.
Going into the 11th round, it was all to play for. But then, in a moment that proved he was just as good as everybody said he was, Inoue connected with a body shot to send his adversary to the canvas.
In a testament to his fighting heart, ‘Filipino Flash’ made it to his feet and heard the final bell, but it was Inoue who received the win on the cards.
Naoya Inoue suffered shocking first-round knockdown by former world champion
Donaire undeniably caused Inoue massive problems in their brutal war of attrition.
However, the four-weight world champion isn’t the only boxer to have given the pound-for-pound superstar a tough challenge.
During one particular fight, the crowd jumped to their feet as the unthinkable occurred.
In a shocking moment, a former world champion dropped Inoue.