It might just be the toughest assignment in boxing, but Marlon ‘Nightmare’ Tapales isn’t shying away from the challenge.
Filipino southpaw Tapales 37-3 (19) is expected to put his WBA and IBF super bantamweight titles on the line against dangerous WBC and WBO boss Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue 25-0 (22) in Japan on December 26.
Although the fight hasn’t been signed off on yet, by all accounts it appears very close.
Last Saturday leading boxing reporter Steve Kim wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “So Bob Arum tells me that he believes things are moving forward for Naoya Inoue-Marlon Tapales for all the belts at 122, in Japan on December 26.”
The Inoue fight is clearly the biggest one available in the 122-pound division and it comes with a corresponding pay cheque. But Tapales says he is not turning up just to make up the numbers.
“I will be the Japanese Monster’s biggest nightmare this coming December at his own hometown,” said the 31-year-old Tapales, who noted that he is undefeated in four fights in Japan.
Tapales issued the statement after working the mitts for a few rounds with head trainer Ernel Fontanilla at his training base at the Knucklehead Boxing Gym in Las Vegas.
“So glad my everyday training always goes smoothly,” Tapales continued. “My condition looks good, as well as my stamina, durability, punching power and quickness. So, by December, during the fight night, I will be better than ever. I will be ready to be Inoue’s worst nightmare.”
In previous trips to Japan, Tapales has knocked out Ruben Manakane, Hayato Kimura and Shohei Omori twice. This will be his first fight in the Land of the Rising Sun in six years.
“Marlon is known for his never give up attitude despite the tall odds. He fights in any given situation, adjusts, and never fears. He will be coming for The Monster,” MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons said.
“Marlon has been in Japan four times in his career, he is also 4-0, and he’s going to be 5-0 in Japan when he beats Inoue.”
At a press conference in late August to be officially presented with the WBC and WBO belts he won by eighth-round knockout from previously undefeated American Stephen Fulton in July, Inoue said he was looking forward to sharing the ring with Tapales.
“I’m fully satisfied with the situation around me as I hear the negotiation of the unification bout with WBA/IBF counterpart Marlon Tapales — with all the four belts on the line — is coming to an end soon,” he said.
The venerable Ring Magazine ranks Inoue as the number two pound-for-pound boxer in the world behind only undisputed welterweight champion Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford.
The winner of the Inoue vs Tapales bout with be crowned the Ring Magazine’s super bantamweight champion.
