
SPORTSCLOPEDIA 67: MARLON TAPALES VS. NAOYA INOUE TALE OF THE TAPE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 25 Dec 2023

MARLON TAPALES
Birth name Marlon Tanan Tapales
Alias Nightmare
Age 31
Nationality Philippines
Stance southpaw
Official weight 121.25 lbs.
Height 5′ 4″ (163cm)
Reach 65″ (165cm)
Wins 37
Losses 3
Draws 0
Wins by KO 19
Losses by KO 2 KO
BoxRec rating #4 world superbantamweight
Bouts 40
Rounds 258
KO rate 51.35%
Pro debut July 18, 2008
Present titles IBF World Superbantamweight and WBA Super World Superbantamweight
Previous title WBO bantamweight
Residence Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
Birth place Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
Previous ten fights
Win over Murodjon Akhmadaliev by Split Decision on April 8, 2023 at Boeing Center, Tech Port, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Won WBA (Super) and IBF super-bantamweight titles
Win over Jose Estrella by KO 2nd round on May 14, 2022 at Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, U.S.
Win over Hiroaki Teshigawara by TKO 2nd round on December 11, 2021 at Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, U.S.
Win over Eden Sonsona by TKO 2nd round on November 21, 2020 at Sanman Gym, General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines
Loss to Ryosuke Iwasa by TKO 11th round on December 7, 2019 at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. For vacant IBF interim super-bantamweight title
Win over Roberto Castaneda by KO 3rd round on June 1, 2019 at Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, U.S.
Win over Fernando Vargas Parra by RTD 5th round on February 16, 2019 at Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win over Goodluck Mrema by KO 1st round on September 30, 2018 at SM North EDSA Skydome, Quezon City, Philippines
Win over Shohei Omori by TKO 11th round on April 23, 2017 at Edion Arena Osaka, Osaka, Japan. WBO bantamweight title at stake only for Omori after Tapales missed weight
Win over Pungluang Sor Singyu by KO 11th round on July 27, 2016 at Ayutthaya City Park, Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya, Thailand. Won WBO bantamweight title
NAOYA INOUE
Birth name 井上尚弥
Alias Monster
Age 30
Nationality Japan
Stance orthodox
Official weight 121.75 lbs.
Height 5′ 5″ (165cm)
Reach 67½″ (171cm)
Wins 25
Losses 0
Draws 0
Wins by KOs 22
Losses by 0
BoxRec rating #1 world super bantamweight
Bouts 25
Rounds 146
KO rate 88%
Pro debut October 2, 2012
Present titles WBC World Superbantamweight and WBO World Superbantamweight
Past titles Undisputed bantamweight, WBA (Super) bantamweight, IBF bantamweight, Ring magazine bantamweight, WBC bantamweight, WBO bantamweight, WBA (Regular) bantamweight, WBO junior-bantamweight, and WBC light-flyweight
Residence Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Birth place Zama, Kanagawa, Japan
Other recognitions
Ranked as the world's second best active boxer, pound for pound, by The Ring, Boxing Writers Association of America, Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB), ESPN, and fourth by BoxRec
Ranked as the world's best active super bantamweight by The Ring, TBRB, ESPN, and BoxRec
The only Japanese to be ranked #1 pound for pound by The Ring
Previous ten fights
Win over Stephen Fulton by TKO 8th round on July 25, 2023 at Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan. Won WBC and WBO super bantamweight titles
Win over Paul Butler by TKO 11th round on December 13, 2022 at Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan. Retained WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and The Ring bantamweight titles. Won WBO bantamweight title
Win over Nonito Donaire by TKO 2nd round on June 7, 2022 at Super Arena, Saitama, Japan. Retained WBA (Super), IBF, and The Ring bantamweight titles. Won WBC bantamweight title
Win over Aran Dipaen by TKO 8th round on December 14, 2021 at Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan. Retained WBA (Super), IBF, and The Ring bantamweight titles
Win over Michael Dasmariñas by KO 3rd round on June 19, 2021 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA (Super), IBF, and The Ring bantamweight titles
Win over Jason Moloney by KO 7th round on October 31, 2020 at MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA (Super), IBF, and The Ring bantamweight titles
Win over Nonito Donaire by Unanimous Decision on November 7, 2019 at Super Arena, Saitama, Japan. Retained IBF and The Ring bantamweight titles. Won WBA (Super) bantamweight title, World Boxing Super Series: bantamweight final
Win over Emmanuel Rodríguez by KO 2nd round on May 18, 2019 at SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland. Won IBF and vacant The Ring bantamweight titles, World Boxing Super Series: bantamweight semi-final
Win over Juan Carlos Payano by KO 1st round on October 7, 2018 at Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Retained WBA (Regular) bantamweight title, World Boxing Super Series: bantamweight quarter-final
Win over Jamie McDonnell by TKO 1st round on May 25, 2018 at Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan. Won WBA (Regular) bantamweight title
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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