INOUE KNOCKS OUT TAPALES IN 10
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 26 Dec 2023
In a dazzling display of skill and sheer power, the 'Monster' Naoya Inoue once again asserted his dominance, securing a knockout victory over the valiant Marlon Tapales in the 10th round at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday night, Dec. 26, cementing his status as the undisputed world champion in the super bantamweight division.
Tapales, entering the ring as a heavy underdog, proved to be a worthy adversary for the pound-for-pound great. Despite moments of brilliance where he connected with right crosses, uppercuts, and left straights, Inoue's unparalleled speed, devastating power, and rapid combinations ultimately proved insurmountable for the former two-division world champion.
The opening round saw a cautious approach from Tapales, attempting to gauge the distance, while Inoue showcased his trademark left-right combinations. The tempo escalated in the following rounds, reaching its climax with a dramatic knockdown of Tapales in the 4th round, courtesy of a blistering left cross by Inoue, leaving just four seconds on the clock.
As the bout progressed, the anticipated quick finish transformed into a surprising turn of events. Tapales exhibited true champion's grit in the 5th round, engaging Inoue in a firefight, turning it into the most action-packed and competitive round of the fight.
Subsequently, the match evolved into a tactical chess game, both fighters making strategic adjustments. Tapales smartly shifted to his right, evading Inoue's dangerous right hands, while Inoue countered by intensifying his right-hand attacks. The once-expected short night for Tapales morphed into a cerebral battle from the 8th round onwards.
However, Inoue's undeniable prowess prevailed in the 10th round. A thunderous straight right pierced through Tapales' high guard at 1:02, sending him to the canvas. Despite displaying incredible heart, Tapales was unable to beat the count, and referee Celestino Ruiz waved off the fight.
Inoue, acknowledging Tapales' toughness, admitted, "This is my most intense fight so far." While Tapales fell short, his courageous performance against the 'Monster' undoubtedly elevated his standing in the boxing world.
Inoue, who was the undisputed bantamweight champion only a year ago, follows Terence Crawford to become the only two-division undisputed world champion.
As the Inoue mystique continues to grow, it is evident that another Asian boxing sensation has taken center stage, captivating the global audience with his unparalleled skill and relentless determination. The 'Monster' Naoya Inoue remains an indomitable force in the super bantamweight division, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his future exploits in the ring.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
0 MUST GO: SELDON JR. vs. POPPER — JUNE 13 AT THE TROP
Wed, 20 May 2026CARL “THE COBRA” FROCH REUNITES WITH ANDRE WARD ON ART OF WARD FOR FIRST IN-DEPTH SIT-DOWN SINCE THEIR LEGENDARY SUPER SIX FINAL
Wed, 20 May 2026BOXING LEGEND DARREN BARKER ANNOUNCES 'THE LONGEST ROUND' – A WORLD-FIRST ENDURANCE CHALLENGE FOR MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH
Wed, 20 May 2026IBA stands ready to organise Jon Jones professional boxing fight in Russia
Wed, 20 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Eight More Wins on Day Two at 2026 Copa America
Wed, 20 May 2026QC ends PCAP Season 6 All-Filipino conference campaign
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 20 May 2026It’s in the blood
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 19 May 2026“The fans will be the true winners” – Angel Ayala ready for IBA PRO 18 in Mexico City
Tue, 19 May 2026Rematch option for Melvin
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 19 May 2026World-class stablemates John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez & Darius ‘DFG’ Fulghum fighting on same card Friday night in San Jose
Tue, 19 May 2026Ignacio Defeats Malayan to Claim Title and USD 10,000 Prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 19 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Dominates Day One of 2026 Copa America with 11-0 Record
Tue, 19 May 2026Reina Tellez Returns to the Ring Following World Title Challenge Against Amanda Serrano
Mon, 18 May 2026Mombay, Garras top Helubong 50km Uphill Ultra Challenge
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 18 May 2026Arijan Goricki Knocks Out Hassan Ndonga in Nairobi
Mon, 18 May 2026