| |
|
The Master: Naoya Inoue Stops Marlon Tapales to Become Undisputed Junior Featherweight World Champion
PhilBoxing.com Wed, 27 Dec 2023

TOKYO, Japan (Dec. 26, 2023) — WBC/WBO junior featherweight world champion Naoya "The Monster" Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) made history again.
The Japanese pound-for-pound superstar knocked out Filipino IBF/WBA champion Marlon Tapales in round 10 to capture the undisputed junior featherweight championship Tuesday at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
With the victory, Inoue joins Terence Crawford as the only male two-weight undisputed champions in the four-belt era. A four-weight world champion, Inoue is 21-0 with 19 knockouts in title fights and has knocked out his last seven foes.
Tapales (37-4, 19 KOs), a two-weight world champion, saw his four-fight winning streak end.
Inoue said, “I am so happy that I got the knockout in such a decisive manner.
“He never showed me fatigue or damage from his face, so I was quite surprised when he went down in the 10th round.
“It was one of the most intense fights I’ve ever had, probably, but my corner cheered me up and kept me focused throughout the bout.”
Tapales, who won the unified world championship earlier this year, came out as the aggressor and attempted to slow Inoue down with a concerted body attack. Inoue responded with savage body blows, sweeping the early rounds on the scorecards. Late in the fourth, a series of left hooks dropped Tapales, who rose just before the bell sounded to end the round.
Tapales found his rhythm in the middle rounds, backing Inoue up and ripping body shots in the seventh and eighth. "The Monster" found his stride in the ninth and finished off Tapales in the 10th with a right hand that put him down for the count. The pound-for-pound king, who started his career at 108 pounds, added two more belts to his massive collection.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Jerusalem, Taduran 1-2 at Minimumweight; Llover Enters Bantam in Ring's Latest Ratings By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 13 Jun 2025July 26: Rohan Polanco-Quinton Randall Welterweight Showdown Tops Xander Zayas-Jorge Garcia Undercard at The Theater at Madison Square Garden , Fri, 13 Jun 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Weekend at the International Boxing Hall Of Fame By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025Nonito Donaire to fight again, faces Campos on June 14 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025Cabalquinto Set to Face Australian Balla on Maniatis Card , Thu, 12 Jun 2025Rene Camacho, Jajaira Gonzalez Capture Wins on Day One of World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem 2025 , Thu, 12 Jun 2025COLLISION COURSE IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY! FLORES VS. CHAVEZ TO HEADLINE JULY 24 EDITION OF GOLDEN BOY FIGHT NIGHT , Thu, 12 Jun 2025Indiana Sets Pace Again in 116-107 Win over OKC; Takes 2-1 Series Lead at Home By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025Cabalquinto to fight in Australia on June 13 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025Alleged doping of Argentine boxer Soto in Panama by the WBA and the Panama Commission is a blow to boxing By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Jun 202527 + 6 Health Marathon now ready for June 15 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025Pryce is Right again for undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor , Thu, 12 Jun 2025Team USA’s Competition Begins Wednesday at the World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem 2025 , Thu, 12 Jun 2025IM Dableo joins Touchmove chess tourney in Roxas City By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025June 19: Brian Norman Jr.-Jin Sasaki WBO Welterweight World Title Showdown Headlines Tokyo Bill LIVE on ESPN+ , Thu, 12 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 8 - MUHAMMAD ALI A.K.A. CASSIUS CLAY TURNS PROFESSIONAL By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025ELECTRIC ENERGY IGNITES “PROSPECTS COLLIDE” PRESS CONFERENCE , Thu, 12 Jun 2025Undefeated Bantam Bryan Blandon Inks with All Star Boxing , Thu, 12 Jun 2025The Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday September 13, 2025 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV , Thu, 12 Jun 2025SBA Scouting Tour Lights Up CALABARZON in Action-Packed Second Leg By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025GM Antonio gears up for 2nd JCI Senate Lipa Chess Festival By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025Maquilan to fight Bacalso on June 22 at Elorde Davao Gym By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Jun 2025Humility is Manny’s trademark By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 11 Jun 2025Koronadal City all set to host Jessie Villasin chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Jun 2025HITCHINS AND KAMBOSOS CLASH IN STORMY FACE-OFF , Wed, 11 Jun 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|