Naoya Inoue v Marlon Tapales

Japan's Naoya Inoue will bid to become a two-weight undisputed champion when he takes on IBF and WBA super-bantamweight title holder Marlon Tapales in Tokyo on 26 December.

Inoue became undisputed bantamweight world champion last year but vacated the belts to move up a division.

The 30-year-old beat Stephen Fulton to unify the WBC and WBO titles in July and can claim all four belts with victory over Filipino Tapales.

"I want to knock him out," said Inoue.

"I want to show my overwhelming power and win, even in a fight like this where becoming undisputed champion in a second division is on the line."

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cp...1553762753.jpg

Inoue, who has already won world titles at super-flyweight and light-flyweight, is unbeaten in 25 professional fights with 22 knockouts.

Nicknamed the 'Monster' for his ferocious power and ability to knock out opponents, Inoue became the first undisputed bantamweight world champion since Panama's Enrique Pinder in 1972 when he stopped England's Paul Butler in December 2022.

After his victory over Fulton in July, Tapales entered the ring and shook hands with Inoue, with the pair promising to fight for all four belts "this year".

Tapales, 31, beat Uzbekistan's Murodjon Akhmadaliev by split decision in April to win the IBF and WBA super-bantamweight titles.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/67213883

naoya gets fighter of the year

Yep. Kudos to Tapales for taking this fight. I don't see any other choice for Fighter of the Year. I like Crawford and all that. But it's Inoue who deserves it.

Other than waking up at some god-awful AM to catch it, absolutely awesome. Inoue will have fully unified two divisions is the span of a years time! I also love how he's completely blowing it up and also getting all top challengers and champs to travel for him right into the interesting huge mecca and atmosphere that is boxing in Japan. Love me some Bud but it's Inoue all day p4p for me. Tapales will need all stars aligned, a baseball bat and a few words with the man upstairs to hang into deep rounds but feel confident in saying he won't come to just fall over.

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Originally Posted by TitoFan

Yep. Kudos to Tapales for taking this fight.

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marlon could have easily milked those belts. we need more of fighters wanting to challenge themselves against the best

Worst news of the day the fight is cancelled. Inoue has suffered a fractured rib and sounds like they are scraping entire card. Hope they can get this rescheduled.

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Originally Posted by Spicoli

Worst news of the day the fight is cancelled. Inoue has suffered a fractured rib and sounds like they are scraping entire card. Hope they can get this rescheduled.

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that's naoya's brother, unless naoya just got injured as well

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Originally Posted by TIC

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Originally Posted by Spicoli

Worst news of the day the fight is cancelled. Inoue has suffered a fractured rib and sounds like they are scraping entire card. Hope they can get this rescheduled.

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that's naoya's brother, unless naoya just got injured as well

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:cwm13::thankyouthankyou: well the day just got even better ;D.

Sky Sports will also broadcast Naoya Inoue's undisputed super-bantamweight battle with Marlon Tapales on December 26.

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Originally Posted by Master

Sky Sports will also broadcast Naoya Inoue's undisputed super-bantamweight battle with Marlon Tapales on December 26.

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Lovely boxing day morning treat.

"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB1WmPaYk_I

there is talk of the monster v luis nery in may

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KlD74-KQA4

In a few hours Monster will most likely become the third man to stop Tapales. To sleep tonight or no, that is the question

This is brutal ;D for a back to work stay awake. Figure the main event walks 5am central :bananna7:?!

It's boxing day and we got the Monster on ESPN/Sky Sports what could be better.

Hiraoka scores a knock down in the first round and beating Diaz up in the second.

Hiraoka pummelling poor Diaz on the ropes in round 4.

This will not last.

Diaz stopped round 5.

Just woke up. Having a lazy one.

What time is main bout and which channel?

10:30am Sky Sports Arena.

Found it cheers

Anaguchi is a quality boxer and boxing beautifully. Tsutsumi eye cut and may have to go for it.

Tsutsumi gets a knockdown in round 4!

Good contest.

Tsutsumi cut is being checked it may not hold.

Anaguchi back to his boxing.

Anaguchi knocked down again! Yet he is winning the fight.

Crazy contest.

Anaguchi knocked down and hurt this time in round 9.

Both exhausted and standing toe to toe.

Insane contest.

Last round left.

Anaguchi down again in the last round that is 4 times he has been down.

No way can he get the decision although he won most of the other rounds.

Anaguchi being carried out.

Tsutsumi wins UD.

Morning. Merry Xmas mate. What a treat for boxing day.

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Originally Posted by Beanz

Morning. Merry Xmas mate. What a treat for boxing day.

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Good morning and happy boxing day.

Both starting cautiously in the first round. Inoue sharper and more accurate to win it.

Tapalas understandably cautious in Rd 1.First to Inoue

This is slow and cautious from both. Tapales not taking too many chances in round two.

Tapales opening up in the third round but still not enough to trouble Inoue.

3 nil Inoue

Tapales down in round 4 when he came forward to attack Inoue. Devastating punching.

Both trading in round 5 but Inoue much more accurate.

Both fighters landing big punches against one another in round 5.

Did well to come back there. Fair play