Undefeated four-division world champion Naoya Inoue of Japan and Filipino two-division world champion Marlon Tapales have their fight date made official for Tuesday, December 26 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. The pair battles it out for the first undisputed super bantamweight title in a four-belt era.
Inoue brings to the ring his unified WBC and WBO 122-pound belts. Tapales (37-3, 19 KOs) enters the squared circle holding the WBA and IBF straps. The world championship bout is scheduled for 12 rounds.
“The sensational Naoya Inoue astounds with every performance,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We are witnessing an all-time great fighter in the prime of his career. He has a very difficult task at hand on December 26 against a tough, powerful Filipino champion in Marlon Tapales, but I am confident ‘The Monster’ will pass this test with flying colors.”
Naoya Inoue vs Marlon Tapales
In his previous outing in July at the same venue, Naoya Inoue (25-0, 22 KOs) dominated and stopped Stephen Fulton in the eighth round and claimed his WBC and WBO belts. Prior to that, Yokohama, Japan native collected all belts 118 lbs. On his way to become the first undisputed bantamweight champion, “Monster” defeated Emmanuel Rodriguez, twice Nonito Donaire and Paul Butler. Earlier in his career the 30-year-old also held world titles at light flyweight and super flyweight.
Tapales (37-3, 19 KOs) was in action in April in San Antonio, Texas, where he dethroned Murodjon Akhmadaliev by split decision. With the victory, the 31-year-old southpaw of Tubod, Philippines, who previously held world title at bantamweight, became a new unified WBA and IBF champion at super bantamweight, and secured his fourth win in a row.
Inoue vs Tapales airs live on ESPN+ in the United States. The Australian broadcast is expected on Kayo – subject to confirmation. International live stream is to be determined.
Among the bouts featured on Inoue vs Tapales undercard, Tokyo-based Seiya Tsutsumi (9-0-2, 8 KOs) faces Kazuki Anaguchi (6-0, 2 KOs) of Kishiwada, Osaka in a 10-round contest for the Japanese bantamweight belt. As well, Kanamu Sakama (8-0, 7 KOs) of Tokyo meets John Paul Gabunilas (10-2, 7 KOs) of Cebu City, Philippines in an eight-round bout at flyweight.
Plus, Tokyo’s Yoshiki Takei (7-0, 7 KOs) takes on Mario Diaz Maldonado (21-6, 9 KOs) of Mexico in an eight-round bout at super bantamweight. In addition, Andy Hiraoka (22-0, 17 KOs) of Yokohama goes up against Mexico’s Sebastian Diaz Maldonado (18-6-1, 13 KOs) in an eight-round bout at lightweight.
Inoue vs Tapales fight card
The current Inoue vs Tapales fight card looks as the following:
- Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales, 12 rounds, super bantamweight – Inoue’s WBC and WBO titles, Tapales’ WBA and IBF titles
- Seiya Tsutsumi vs. Kazuki Anaguchi, 10 rounds, bantamweight
- Kanamu Sakama vs. John Paul Gabunilas, 8 rounds, flyweight
- Yoshiki Takei vs. Mario Diaz Maldonado, 8 rounds, super bantamweight
- Andy Hiraoka vs. Sebastian Diaz Maldonado, 8 rounds, lightweight
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