Inoue vs Tapales

Who won Inoue vs Tapales?

Naoya Inoue beat Marlon Tapales by knockout in the 10th round on Tuesday, December 26th, 2023, at Ariake Arena, Tokyo.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 12 rounds in the Super Bantamweight division, which meant the weight limit was 122 pounds (8.7 stone or 55.3 kg).

This contest was for the undisputed super bantamweight championship of the world, with the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO belts on the line.

Inoue was making his 3rd defense of the The Ring Junior Featherweight Championship. He won this belt against Marlon Tapales in December 2023. He had held this belt for 1 year, 3 months and 24 days.

He was also making his 5th defense of the WBO World Junior Featherweight Championship. He won this belt against Stephen Fulton in July 2023. He had held this title for 1 year, 8 months and 25 days.

Also, on the line was his 4th defense of the IBF World Junior Featherweight Championship. He won this belt against Marlon Tapales in December 2023. He had been recognised as this champion for 1 year, 3 months and 24 days.

In addition, he was making his 5th defense of the WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship. He won this belt against Stephen Fulton in July 2023. He had been WBC champion for 1 year, 8 months and 25 days.

Finally, he was making his 4th defense of the WBA Super World Super Bantamweight Championship. He won this belt against Marlon Tapales in December 2023. He had been WBA champion for 1 year, 3 months and 24 days.

Also on the undercard Kanamu Sakama was victorious over John Paul Gabunilas, Seiya Tsutsumi beat Kazuki Anaguchi, and Yoshiki Takei defeated Mario Diaz.

Inoue vs Tapales stats

Back in December 2023, Naoya Inoue stepped into the ring with an undefeated record of 25 wins, zero losses, and 0 draws.

Marlon Tapales made his way to the ring with a record of 37 wins, 3 losses and 0 draws.

Naoya Inoue was the younger man by 1 year, at 31 years old.

Inoue had a height advantage of 1 inch over Tapales. That also extended to a 1-inch reach advantage.

Naoya Inoue fought out of the orthodox stance, while Marlon Tapales was a southpaw.

Inoue was arguably the less experienced fighter, having had 15 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2012, 4 years and 2 months later than Tapales, whose first professional fight was in 2008. He had fought 173 more professional rounds, totaling 173 compared to Tapales' 0.

Inoue vs Tapales form

Inoue remained undefeated as a professional, stopping 5 of his recent opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had beaten Stephen Fulton on July 25, 2023, by technical knockout in the 8th round in their WBC World Super Bantamweight and WBO World Junior Featherweight championship fight at Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku, Japan.

Prior to that, he had beaten Paul Butler on December 13, 2022, by knockout in the 11th round in their The Ring Bantamweight, WBO World Bantamweight, IBF World Bantamweight and WBC World Bantamweight championship fight at Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku, Tokyo.

Going into that contest, he had won against Nonito Donaire on June 7, 2022, by technical knockout in the 2nd round in their WBC World Bantamweight, WBA Super World Bantamweight and IBF World Bantamweight championship fight at Super Arena, Saitama.

Before that, he had beaten Aran Dipaen on December 14, 2021, by technical knockout in the 8th round in their WBA Super World Bantamweight and IBF World Bantamweight championship fight at Kokugikan, Tokyo.

He had defeated Michael Dasmarinas on June 19, 2021, by knockout in the 3rd round in their WBA Super World Bantamweight and IBF World Bantamweight championship fight at Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas, United States.

Tapales had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 3 of them, going the distance once.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had won against Murodjon Akhmadaliev on April 8, 2023, by split decision in their IBF World Junior Featherweight and WBA Super World Super Bantamweight championship fight at Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio, United States.

Prior to that, he had won against Jose Estrella on May 14, 2022, by knockout in the 2nd round at Dignity Health Sports Park, California.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Hiroaki Teshigawara on December 11, 2021, by knockout in the 2nd round at Dignity Health Sports Park, California.

Before that, he had been beaten by Ryosuke Iwasa on December 7, 2019, by technical knockout in the 11th round at Barclays Center, New York.

He had beaten Roberto Castaneda on June 1, 2019, by knockout in the 3rd round at Soboba Casino, California.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Naoya Inoue had been fighting more than Marlon Tapales.

Going into this contest, Naoya Inoue had last fought 5 months and 1 day ago, while Marlon Tapales' last outing had been 8 months and 18 days ago.

Inoue's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 6 months and 7 days, which means he had been fighting approximately every 6 months and 3 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 32 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 6.4 rounds on average.

Tapales' last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 6 months and 25 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 10 months and 29 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 30 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 6 rounds on average.

What time did Inoue vs Tapales start?

The fighters were expected to ringwalk at around 12:00 PM UTC at Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan, which was 7:00 AM EST or 4:00 AM PST on the West Coast of America, or 12:00 PM GMT in the UK.

Who broadcast Inoue vs Tapales?

The ESPN+ show began at 3:00 AM EST / 12:00 AM PST. The Sky Sports Arena broadcast of the card started at 10:00 AM (GTM).

What were the odds on Inoue vs Tapales?

Naoya Inoue was a 1/20 (-2000) favorite going into the contest, while Marlon Tapales made his way into the ring at 9/1 (+900) with oddsmakers.