• Donaire stated he was knocked out by “the hardest punch I’ve ever been hit with.”
• In Tuesday’s rematch, though, the 39-year-old “Filipino Flash” Donaire was defeated as never before in his illustrious career.
• In his previous 48 fights, Donaire had only been stopped once.

Nonito Donaire stated he was knocked out by “the hardest punch I’ve ever been hit with” when bantamweight king Naoya Inoue stopped the Filipino veteran in the second round in Saitama.

In a breathless show of power hitting, the unbeaten Japanese boxing legend known as “Monster” achieved his 20th knockout victory in 23 bouts to add the WBC title to his WBA and IBF belts.

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In their first, epic bout in the same venue three years ago, five-weight world champion Donaire shattered a bone in Inoue’s face as the Japanese fighter was pushed to the limit before claiming a majority decision victory.

In Tuesday’s rematch, though, the 39-year-old “Filipino Flash” Donaire was defeated as never before in his illustrious career.

Just seconds before the finish of an even first round, Inoue’s lightning-quick overhand right to Donaire’s temple disoriented and left him falling.

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“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 the second round, a flurry of precision power punches from Inoue caused the courageous Donaire’s legs to shake before a second knockdown prompted the referee to stop the fight.

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In his previous 48 fights, Donaire had only been stopped once.

Many consider the 29-year-old Inoue to be the best pound-for-pound puncher in the world of 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.”