[Boxing] Inoue vs Tapales for Unified Super Bantamweight Title - December 26

[lionheart78]

Not belittling the Filipino here, but I think Tapales will have a slim chance against the monster Inoue. We have seen how he just eruption on American Fulton, the 2 belt champion as well and just didn't give him the breathing room and I don't think that Fulton win a round against Inoue and then the knockout power of Inoue will be too much for anyone.

So not sure what strategy the camp of Tapales will do against Inoue. Naoya is just reaching his prime right now and it's hard to stop a fighter like that who is very complete in my opinion.

I also agree, considering his performance against the former champion I think Tapales won by sheer luck on that since the fight between them (him and Akhmadaliev) can go either way and the crowd is not satisfied with the decision.

Just as I thought Fulton gave in on the mid to later rounds due to the bombs thrown by Inoue had happened.  Fulton is simply outclassed in this fight so there is no doubt that 122 lbs is still a class weight for the monster Inoue.  I am seeing another KO on this possible Unified Super Bantamweight title.

[Westinhome]

I was thinking of making a thread of this particular fight, but you made it first. Hehe.

Anyway, this fight is going to be great for sure. Tapales is quite bigger than Inoue, but we all know the power of Inoue. Personally, I do believe that Inoue would still win the fight as he is very dominant. I think no one can stop him in the current division he is at. His win against Fulton is a big statement that he could dominate the division again, so I will already book this; it will be another Inoue's KO win.

It says it's going to happen this year, so we don't need to wait any longer.

This fight will be the best knock to the Tapales,even hr is much bigger to the Inoue.Inoue was the most popular player with unique power towards the game.Inoue will have his dominance against the Tapales.Tapales had their luck in the game,because he win the unexpected game against the Akhmadaliev.Most of the crowd think,the Akhmadaliev will win the game because of his awesome game.But the luck favours the Tapales,if the luck not move towards the Tapales.The winner will be the Inoue based on their power.

Because Inoue had four time world champion till now.So he had his second plan against the opponent all the time.When the plan A is failure,subsequently he will execute the plan B for his opponents.This made him four time world champion and we don’t know how his game will be outside the Japan.So Inoue will have more pressure to prove himself in this game.

[Ziskinberg]

Because Inoue had four time world champion till now.So he had his second plan against the opponent all the time.When the plan A is failure,subsequently he will execute the plan B for his opponents.This made him four time world champion and we don’t know how his game will be outside the Japan.So Inoue will have more pressure to prove himself in this game.

In short, Inoue is a very smart boxer; he has a lot of strategies in the ring and can make adjustments easily. The only time I saw Inoue hurt was during his fight with Donaire, the first one, as in the second fight, he knocked Donaire out early. I believe Inoue learned from that mistake and will avoid it from happening again. After defeating Fulton, his confidence is now sky-high.

Donaire was actually wrong with his prediction when he said that Fulton had a slight edge.

https://www.boxingscene.com/donaire-i-give-slight-edge-fulton-inoue-never-fought-anybody-like-fulton--176254

[Eternad]

Not belittling the Filipino here, but I think Tapales will have a slim chance against the monster Inoue. We have seen how he just eruption on American Fulton, the 2 belt champion as well and just didn't give him the breathing room and I don't think that Fulton win a round against Inoue and then the knockout power of Inoue will be too much for anyone.

So not sure what strategy the camp of Tapales will do against Inoue. Naoya is just reaching his prime right now and it's hard to stop a fighter like that who is very complete in my opinion.

I’m a Filipino and I agree to your valid concern about Tapales having a slim chance. Even the general Filipino community think the same way since Tapales skills is inferior compared to Inoue. Most of us think that Casemero should be the one Inoue facing for a better matchup.

Honestly speaking, Naoya is a monster after his fight against Fulton. His punch is quick and very powerful which is very hard to counter by slow heavy blower like Tapales. I really think Tapales should not take this fight to save his career.

[danherbias07]

I know Marlon Tapales will be a super underdog here after Inoue defeated Stephen Fulton in a knockout but I still want to put my support for my countryman.
I just hope he will prepare very hard before the fight happens because he will need it. Prepare his body for hard punches and prepare his chin to accept such tremendous punches from The Monster.
I am not underestimating him but that enhances his chance to win this fight. Anyway, I've heard that he also wants to face Inoue. "Be careful what you wish for."

To avoid being KO'ed, that should be his goal because he can win it if he can score with his jabs while Inoue is being aggressive with too much hunger to claim all the titles. That will be his weakness, better take advantage of that.

[Yogee]

Bob Arum seems fine with this fight so we will most likely see this on the target date. The only thing I see that's going to hinder or stall the negotiation is the fight purse. I think 60-40 favoring Inoue is going to be the ideal deal for Tapales.

[....]Tapales' record is unimpressive.

Tapales boxing record may not be as impressive as Inoue but 37-3-0 with 51% KO percentage is pretty damn good to anyone who is going to look at it objectively.

[lionheart78]

I know Marlon Tapales will be a super underdog here after Inoue defeated Stephen Fulton in a knockout but I still want to put my support for my countryman.
I just hope he will prepare very hard before the fight happens because he will need it. Prepare his body for hard punches and prepare his chin to accept such tremendous punches from The Monster.
I am not underestimating him but that enhances his chance to win this fight. Anyway, I've heard that he also wants to face Inoue. "Be careful what you wish for."

I also support Tapales since I would love to see our fellow countryman be the undisputed champion of 122 lbs.  and at the same time put a stop on the rampaging monster.  But it is an obvious matter that the monster had proven that he can shut down even the best of the super bantamweight class, but definitely I admire Tapales for his courage, not to duck and even initiate the deal to fight for the unification of the titles.

To avoid being KO'ed, that should be his goal because he can win it if he can score with his jabs while Inoue is being aggressive with too much hunger to claim all the titles. That will be his weakness, better take advantage of that.

That is all the goal of Inoue's opponent but miserably failed at the end.  Aside from avoiding this, Tapales camp must study the angles and movement of Inoue keenly so that Tapales can avoid such a situation.  Also, Tapales should study how to counter that body-to-head combination of Inoue which is proven to be very effective to his prior opponents.

[bittraffic]

I don't think Tapales has the speed to match Inoue. Looking at those names he'd beaten, I can't see anyone familiar. But I saw him after Inoue -Fulton fight, he was asking for it which Inoue also said they gonna be fighting before 2024. Inoue is stashing a lot of money.

I can see another KO. If Fulton didn't make it, so will Tapaless. I checked some of his fights on youtube, he is a small tough fighter though. I guess he is up to making money as well regardless of the result.

[Jating]

I don't think Tapales has the speed to match Inoue. Looking at those names he'd beaten, I can't see anyone familiar. But I saw him after Inoue -Fulton fight, he was asking for it which Inoue also said they gonna be fighting before 2024. Inoue is stashing a lot of money.

Speed is one, but then Tapales will have to contend about the power too of Inoue. He witnessed how he just go and steam roll Stephen Fulton into a knockout win. Fulton has a good chin and defense, but for a split second that he put his arms down, it's over as Inoue was able to see that small hole and punch it.

I can see another KO. If Fulton didn't make it, so will Tapaless. I checked some of his fights on youtube, he is a small tough fighter though. I guess he is up to making money as well regardless of the result.

I would agree, maybe it might take less than 8 rounds for Inoue to knockout Tapales. And it's hard to imagine on how a boxer is going to defeat Inoue. Maybe he should be taller than Inoue has a good chin and a speed that can match Inoue and of course the timing to counter as well and I doubt that Tapales has that tools in his arsenal.

[Russlenat]

Ain't surprising me that Inoue vs Tapales will be made this year because the latter will surely go and accept the fight because this is his chance to be in a much bigger stage as it will be the undisputed title after defeating the former 2-belt champion, Murodjon Akhmadaliev.

Moreover, Naoya Inoue wasn't heavily injured during his fight against Steph Fulton and so a November fight is quite possible.

It pains me to say this to my fellow countrymen but I don't think that Tapales got a good chance in defeating Inoue, he'll be just a stepping stone for the Japanese boxer to become the 1st undisputed champion at 122 since the four belt era was established.

[Yatsan]

Inoue has the upperhand in this. To some it would be a disadvantage 'coz he won't be able to rest for long but on the other end, he's on fire from his recent TKO Victory. As we all know, Tapeles has quite having a not so perfect stats for his career unlike with Inoue having 25 wins without any loss, and 22 by way of KO, which is obviously impressive. Stats indeed won't guarantee the winner but it is for sure a factor; it won't be in such numbers for nothing. There's still hope for Tapales for this match if he qould be more agressive 'coz if not, he would be pounded more likely by Inoue before he does. However if the wind would change on majority's expectation, then this would be a huge break for Tapales.

[Casdinyard]

Tapales has got little to prove and a lot to gain. But that is provided that he could stand against Inoue in the first place. Inoue is still in his prime and there's no stopping this beast of a fighter in his quest to claim belts. While there's a probabilistic chance for Inoue to lose this fight and hand the belt to Tapales, I don't think the latter has what it takes to beat Inoue in a one-on-one knock-off. Tapales best not aim for heights that are still far from his reach else he risks a devastating loss that may upturn his career. Inoue remains undefeated and I don't think someone who's yet to prove himself in the ring and the boxing community's got the chance and the cajones to beat him willy-nillly. Until then we just had to stay hoping that this fight goes through cause even if Tapales doesn't have anything of substance to prove in his name, it's still going to be interesting to see how Inoue takes all his fight with known and obscure fighters.

[bittraffic]

I don't think Tapales has the speed to match Inoue. Looking at those names he'd beaten, I can't see anyone familiar. But I saw him after Inoue -Fulton fight, he was asking for it which Inoue also said they gonna be fighting before 2024. Inoue is stashing a lot of money.

Speed is one, but then Tapales will have to contend about the power too of Inoue. He witnessed how he just go and steam roll Stephen Fulton into a knockout win. Fulton has a good chin and defense, but for a split second that he put his arms down, it's over as Inoue was able to see that small hole and punch it.

I can see another KO. If Fulton didn't make it, so will Tapaless. I checked some of his fights on youtube, he is a small tough fighter though. I guess he is up to making money as well regardless of the result.

I would agree, maybe it might take less than 8 rounds for Inoue to knockout Tapales. And it's hard to imagine on how a boxer is going to defeat Inoue. Maybe he should be taller than Inoue has a good chin and a speed that can match Inoue and of course the timing to counter as well and I doubt that Tapales has that tools in his arsenal.

Tapales I think has a good balance that's one tool. They did that verbal arrangement in less than 5 minutes. Having an interpreter in the interview makes it easy for these fighters to just give it a go. Inoue also proves that he will fight whoever comes his way. This is a lot braver than those pickers. Only a few boxers do this.

4 divisions is already an achievement for a boxer of his size. I wonder if he could often get out of Japan to fight more with audiences who are not so friendly. Like in Tapales country. 

[livingfree]

A few months of preparation and rest would be enough for Inoue? Well, this is making me admire him more.

The odds will surely again be too low for Inoue and will be greater for Tapales. I guess that everyone is going to put their money on the lines for Inoue even the odds will be definitely low and not that much at all.

If Inoue has said that he's got a goal until the end of this year then we will see if he's a man of honor for his own words.

[arwin100]

I don't think Tapales has the speed to match Inoue. Looking at those names he'd beaten, I can't see anyone familiar. But I saw him after Inoue -Fulton fight, he was asking for it which Inoue also said they gonna be fighting before 2024. Inoue is stashing a lot of money.

Speed is one, but then Tapales will have to contend about the power too of Inoue. He witnessed how he just go and steam roll Stephen Fulton into a knockout win. Fulton has a good chin and defense, but for a split second that he put his arms down, it's over as Inoue was able to see that small hole and punch it.

I can see another KO. If Fulton didn't make it, so will Tapaless. I checked some of his fights on youtube, he is a small tough fighter though. I guess he is up to making money as well regardless of the result.

I would agree, maybe it might take less than 8 rounds for Inoue to knockout Tapales. And it's hard to imagine on how a boxer is going to defeat Inoue. Maybe he should be taller than Inoue has a good chin and a speed that can match Inoue and of course the timing to counter as well and I doubt that Tapales has that tools in his arsenal.

Tapales I think has a good balance that's one tool. They did that verbal arrangement in less than 5 minutes. Having an interpreter in the interview makes it easy for these fighters to just give it a go. Inoue also proves that he will fight whoever comes his way. This is a lot braver than those pickers. Only a few boxers do this.

4 divisions is already an achievement for a boxer of his size. I wonder if he could often get out of Japan to fight more with audiences who are not so friendly. Like in Tapales country.  

Inoue won't fight whoever comes his way but rather on where he can get something like to get more belts or any other achievements since he's not willing to fight Casimero which is long time want by many boxing fans. But since for his wants Tapales will be a perfect fit so I guess this is more close to happen and lets wait for this update and I guess it will also happen this year.

I also want to see Inoue fight outside in Japan since if he decide to play always in his country then his popularity eill be on asian country only he need to step up and fight on bigger ring so that he will be known on USA.

[dothebeats]

Tapales lacks the speed, strength, and overall stamina to go against Inoue. Fulton, who held the title, had a hard time. going on against the Japanese boxer. There's just not a lot of names that you can match against Inoue who has the chance to beat him in a straight-up brawl. Most probably the odds will swing hard for Inoue, and it will not be worth betting into unless you put on a truckload of cash on the guy.

[coin-investor]

Inoue won't fight whoever comes his way but rather on where he can get something like to get more belts or any other achievements since he's not willing to fight Casimero which is long time want by many boxing fans. But since for his wants Tapales will be a perfect fit so I guess this is more close to happen and lets wait for this update and I guess it will also happen this year.

I also want to see Inoue fight outside in Japan since if he decide to play always in his country then his popularity eill be on asian country only he need to step up and fight on bigger ring so that he will be known on USA.

The Bantamweight will be an easy ride for Inoue to conquer the real challenge, is in the featherweight division.

WBO: Robeisy Ramirez

IBF: Luis Alberto Lopez

WBA: Leigh Wood

WBC: Rey Vargas

These are the champions in their particular organizations and these are tough fighters who if they ever step into that division will be faced with serious challenges, I see him stepping into that division it will not be hard for Inoue to put in more muscles.

[serjent05]

A few months of preparation and rest would be enough for Inoue? Well, this is making me admire him more.

The odds will surely again be too low for Inoue and will be greater for Tapales. I guess that everyone is going to put their money on the lines for Inoue even the odds will be definitely low and not that much at all.

If Inoue has said that he's got a goal until the end of this year then we will see if he's a man of honor for his own words.

Unless Inoue suffers an injury again, I think as long as the two camps agreed, the fight will happen somewhere in November.  Besides Inoue isn't beaten in his fight against Fulton, you can see it on how clear his face is.  With the fight against Tapales, I think Inoue will also knock Tapales out.  It is more likely to happen because 2 of the 3 losses of Tapales are stoppage.  This simply clear that Tapales isn't that tough to receive Inoue's punch without any problem.

[dothebeats]

A few months of preparation and rest would be enough for Inoue? Well, this is making me admire him more.

The odds will surely again be too low for Inoue and will be greater for Tapales. I guess that everyone is going to put their money on the lines for Inoue even the odds will be definitely low and not that much at all.

If Inoue has said that he's got a goal until the end of this year then we will see if he's a man of honor for his own words.

Unless Inoue suffers an injury again, I think as long as the two camps agreed, the fight will happen somewhere in November.  Besides Inoue isn't beaten in his fight against Fulton, you can see it on how clear his face is.  With the fight against Tapales, I think Inoue will also knock Tapales out.  It is more likely to happen because 2 of the 3 losses of Tapales are stoppage.  This simply clear that Tapales isn't that tough to receive Inoue's punch without any problem.

That too. We saw how destructive Inoue's right hand is. If Tapales’ previous fights were from stoppage simply because he couldn’t take more damage, it’s entirely possible that Inoue will end this fight early, too. Most bets would surely be on whether the fight will go the distance or not (someone will win by decision). If Tapales wants to win, he surely needs to work on his endurance, stamina, and strength. Score as much points as possible and look for potential openings.

[Darker45]

Well, Tapales has the chance, but I doubt he will be able to dethrone Inoue. Regardless, however, this is the fight of his life. This is already a huge achievement for him. To be given the chance to face Naoya and, more importantly, to become the unified champion, is a big opportunity he couldn't afford to miss. He should be giving his all not just during the fight but even during the training. Defeating Naoya and unifying the belts mean a lot.

It will be an uphill climb for Tapales for sure. Naoya, on the other hand, will be fighting against somebody who is probably easier than Fulton. He's well prepared for this. As early as now, the odds are heavily in favor of Naoya. 1/10 to 1/12 for Naoya. That's extremely low. That's 1.08 to 1.1. Tapales has 6/1 to 13/2; that's 7.0 to 7.5.