FILIPINO fighter Marlon Tapales looks to pull off a massive upset against Japanese Naoya Inoue in their super bantamweight unification bout at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday, December 26.
Seeking to defy the overwhelming odds, Tapales battles the undefeated and favorite Inoue at his home turf at 7 p.m. (Manila time).
Holder of the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation crowns, Tapales aims to take Inoue’s World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council belts to become the first Filipino undisputed champion.
As he seeks to make history that not even compatriot and eight-time world champ Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquaio managed to accomplish, Tapales looks to bring the fight to Inoue.
“I want to win, and I can’t do that if I just settle for defending. I would really fight it out,” Tapales said in Filipino on Sunday, December 24, during the final press conference of the Inoue-Tapales bout.
“I feel well and in prime condition. I’m ready and excited to meet him on top of the ring. Of course, I want to win. My message to the boxing fans, especially here in Japan, is that this will be an exciting fight,” added the 31-year-old from Lanao del Norte.
The 5-foot-4 Tapales has won his last four fights with the latest of that streak being a split decision victory over Murodjon Akhmadaliev last April.
Tapales improved to 37 wins and three losses, with 19 of his wins coming by way of knockout.
On the other hand, “The Monster” Inoue has not tasted a defeat through 25 bouts, and he looks to remain spotless in a bid to become the second two-belt undisputed champion in the four-belt era. Terrence Crawford was the first to accomplish the feat.
The 30-year-old Inoue last saw action in July when he scored his 22nd knockout at the expense of Stephen Fulton.
“He is a southpaw, so I’ve done the training. I don’t feel it (him being a lefty) is a disadvantage [to me]. Nothing special,” said Inoue.
There is no rematch clause for this bout but Tapales camp is willing to give Inoue a second try should Tapales actually win the fight.
“The answer to that is no [rematch clause] but we’re more than happy to be back here in Japan,” said Sean Gibbons, MP Promotions president.
