Naoya Inoue Knocks Out Marlon Tapales

Naoya Inoue achieved the status of a two-division undisputed champion in Tokyo, securing a victory over the resilient Marlon Tapales in the 10th round of their 122 lb championship unification bout. Inoue, with a record of 26-0, 23 KO, claimed the WBC and WBO titles from Tapales (37-4, 19 KO), complementing the WBA and IBF belts he won earlier in the year by defeating Stephen Fulton Jr.

 

It took Inoue just two fights in the 122 lb division to attain undisputed status, accomplishing this feat just over a year after fully unifying the 118 lb division. Despite not delivering his most thrilling performance, credit is given to Tapales, 31, who fought admirably, particularly in light of the fourth-round knockdown he endured. Tapales, a Filipino southpaw, displayed resilience and made efforts to adjust and secure victory. However, by the eighth or ninth round, fatigue set in, and when he was down again in the 10th round, he couldn't muster the strength to rise.

Tapales deserves recognition for his effectiveness against Inoue, providing viewers with a compelling fight. Ultimately, the "Monster" Inoue emerged victorious once again.

Undercard Results:

• Seiya Tsutsumi secured a unanimous decision victory over Kazuki Anaguchi in a thrilling bout. Tsutsumi (10-0-2, 7 KO) rallied with enough knockdowns to secure scores of 94-92, 94-92, and 95-91. Anaguchi (6-1, 2 KO) exhibited superior skills for much of the fight, but Tsutsumi's power made the decisive impact.

• Andy Hiraoka achieved a fifth-round TKO victory over Sebastian Diaz (1:52). Hiraoka, now 23-0 (18 KO), faced an overmatched Diaz (18-7-1, 13 KO) in a matchup that once again raised questions about the caliber of Hiraoka's opponents. Hiraoka expressed his intention to challenge any champion at 140.

• Yoshiki Takei delivered a second-round knockout against Mario Diaz, extending his undefeated record to 8-0 (8 KO). The former kickboxing champion demonstrated a gradual transition to the 122 lb division, showcasing a penchant for body shots and power. Diaz (21-7, 9 KO) took the full 10-count after being dropped.