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Philippines, 16 Feb 2026 |
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PINOY BOXING 14: MARLON TAPALES AND JOHN PAUL GABUNILAS FIGHT IN JAPAN ON DECEMBER 26 By Maloney L. Samaco PhilBoxing.com Mon, 25 Dec 2023  Marlon Tapales said that he wants to win his fight against Naoya Inoue for the undisputed super bantamweight world title on December 26 in Tokyo, Japan and promises a good fight. He added that it is a great opportunity to be given the chance to fight the top pound-for-pound boxer. He is very grateful to the promoters for the break because it means that he is also in the same class as the Japanese Monster. The 31-year-old Tapales (37-3, 19KOs), the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super and International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight champion is considered the underdog against Inoue, the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion. Inoue is undefeated in 25 fights, 22 by knockout. "Being nervous is normal. But if you’re not nervous, there’s no challenge. That means you’re not against a big-name fighter. Being nervous is important because that’s the biggest challenge to work harder and know you have a chance. That’s the most important thing," Tapales was quoted by Inquirer Sports. No Filipino has ever become the undisputed world champion, winning all four major title belts at the same time. Tapales won 3 of his last 4 fights by stoppage, he knows that he has the power to beat Inoue. “I can punch, one punch because I got power and I can win also even if the fight will go thru the 12 rounds.” Meanwhile John Paul Gabunilas will face unbeaten hometown foe Kanamu Sakama in the undercard of the Inoue versus Tapales undisputed super bantamweight world title unification bout. The 23-year-old Gabunilas will be the only Filipino fighting in the undercard and he will face Sakama in an eight-round non-title bout. Gabunilas eyes redemption for his devastating first round knockout defeat last August 15 to Miel Fajardo for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light flyweight title. He suffered his second defeat in 12 bouts after Fajardo dropped him three times Gabunilas is determined to recover from the setback as he swore to win convincingly in his first fight abroad. Sakama is a dangerous foe who is undefeated in eight bouts with seven knockouts. The 20-year-old Japanese is currently the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) youth light flyweight champion. Merry Christmas to all from my wife Chona and family. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.  |
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