Short break for Tapales
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 30 Dec 2023
Marlon Tapales is back in his Lanao del Norte home, reunited with his wife and three-year-old daughter after a three-month training camp to prepare for his fight against Naoya Inoue but it won’t be a long respite from the ring. Tapales, who lost in a bid to unify four world superbantamweight title belts and add The Ring Magazine strap in Tokyo last Tuesday, arrived yesterday and said he’ll return to the gym in two to three weeks.
The plan is for Tapales to fight in the Philippines in May or June then set up camp in Las Vegas to get ready for a title eliminator and if the wins pile up, he’ll shoot for another world crown before next year ends. Tapales is a former WBO bantamweight and WBA/IBF superbantamweight champion.
“Mananatili ako sa 122,” said Tapales. “Komportable ako sa timbang. Baka sa darating na taon, magbitaw si Inoue ng korona at umakyat sa 126 kaya magkakaroon ulit ako ng pagkakataon lumaban ng world championship sa 122. Oras ni Inoue ngayon, wala akong masabi. Magaling siya, mautak, mabilis at malakas. Pero darating din ang oras ko.”
Tapales said the left hook that led to his knockdown in the fourth round was stronger than the right that decked him on all fours for the count in the 10th. He was buzzed and knelt down as referee Celestino Ruiz started to count. “Naisip kong bumangon pero ‘di na kaya ng katawan ko,” said Tapales. “Ginawa ko ang lahat at ‘di ako natakot sa kaniya.”
At the start, Tapales fought from a distance and used his right jab to fend off Inoue. Then, he moved in to pound Inoue with body shots. Inoue adjusted by sliding side-to-side to throw Tapales off balance. The fight turned tactical with Tapales using a shoulder roll from a southpaw stance to narrow angles for Inoue’s right straight but the Japanese found an antidote by stepping into his strike zone with up-and-down combinations.
Tapales said he couldn’t ask anything more from his training team and thanked his coaches, sparmates, management, fans and media for their support. He could’ve defended his WBA and IBF titles against an easy opponent but the opportunity to become the first Filipino undisputed champion was a chance of a lifetime. Tapales said it’s his dream to fight the best and test himself. Inoue was the better man last Tuesday and Tapales tipped his hat off to the Monster.
Photo: Top Rank's Bob Arum (L) talks to Marlon Tapales (R) after the Inoue fight as MP Promotions Sean Gibbons (C) looks on.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026