| |
|
Tapales out to tame The Monster
By Joaquin Henson PhilBoxing.com Sun, 06 Aug 2023

WBA/IBF superbantamweight champion Marlon Tapales isn’t fazed by the reputation of newly-crowned WBC/WBO titlist Naoya Inoue and said yesterday he’ll be ready to tame the Japanese Monster when they clash in a unification showdown in Japan before the end of the year.
“Asahan niyo lalaban ako para manalo,” said Tapales who was at ringside with coach Ernel Fontanilla and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons when Inoue halted Stephen Fulton to wrest the WBC/WBO crowns in Tokyo last week. “Isa sa amin babagsak, ‘di tatagal ang laban.” Tapales said Inoue’s strengths are accuracy in landing punches and power. But with Fontanilla’s guidance, he’s confident of executing a fight plan to become the undisputed king of the 122-pound division. Exactly what the strategy is, Tapales would’ve divulge. “Sikreto ‘yan,” smiled the Lanao del Norte southpaw who’s known as the Nightmare.
After Inoue stopped Fulton, Tapales and Gibbons climbed the ring to congratulate the winner. It was announced that they would fight next for the WBC/WBO/WBA/IBF belts. “Nag-congratulate ako sa kaniya at sabi ko, kami next,” said Tapales. Japanese media had a field day speculating what could happen in the duel which is tentatively scheduled in December. Tapales is now in General Santos City training at the SanMan gym. He plans to leave for Las Vegas on Aug. 20 and open camp with Fontanilla. Tapales could either fly straight from Las Vegas to Japan for the fight or go to Manila for the last stage of preparations, get over jet lag for about a week then move to Japan. What’s certain is Tapales will undergo at least three months of hard training for Inoue. “Ito ang pangarap ko na maging undisputed world champion,” he said. “’Di ko sasayangin ang pagkakataon.” Tapales, 31, has a 37-3 record with 19 KOs while Inoue, 30, boasts a mark of 25-0 with 22 KOs.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Benavidez-Ramirez presents his mega fight on "WBC Tuesday Coffe" in Mexico City By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026“The Cuban Assassin" Scores Devastating 1st Round Knockout to Remain Undefeated , Wed, 11 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Set to Shine on Matchroom Boxing Card March 21 in Orlando , Wed, 11 Mar 2026World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok Update By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026Full Card Taking Shape for ProBoxTV’s Martinez Vs. Aleem World Championship Event on Sat., March 21, from NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA , Wed, 11 Mar 2026Mike Tyson Invitational Announces Schedule of Events for Amateur Showcase Beginning This Thursday in Las Vegas , Wed, 11 Mar 2026Filipino chess players make a courtesy visit to GAB chairman By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Mar 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Wed, 11 Mar 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 MARCH 2026: Opetaia Outpoints Glanton to Win Inaugural Zuffa Belt; Ricardo Salas, Vlad Panin Register Wins By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Brijhana Epperson and Christian Paez Highlight Day Two of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Beltran, Prado rule Samal Half Marathon By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Meinke-Vargas IBF Featherweight Female World Championship Set for 12 rounds? By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Ruiz and Veloz Earn Dominant Wins on Opening Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Top Rank Signs Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Sammy Contreras , Tue, 10 Mar 2026153 swimmers safely complete Davao-Samal-Davao Cross Channel By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO , Mon, 09 Mar 2026Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy? By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points. , Sun, 08 Mar 2026Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Fight Results from Montreal: Steven Butler Obliterates Ramadan Hiseni; Wins by Lenar Perez, Jhon Orobio and Steve Claggett By Eric Armit, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Former Champ Junior Makabu visits WBC offices in Mexico City By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026WEIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Weights from Atlantic City , Sat, 07 Mar 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|