Who won Inoue vs Tapales?
Naoya Inoue beat Marlon Tapales by knockout in the 10th round on Tuesday 26th December 2023 at Ariake Arena in 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 & WBO belts on the line.
Also, on the undercard Kanamu Sakama was victorious over John Paul Gabunilas and Seiya Tsutsumi beat Kazuki Anaguchi.
Inoue vs Tapales stats
Back in December 2023, Naoya Inoue stepped into the ring with an undefeated record of 25 wins, zero loses and 0 draws.
Marlon Tapales made his way to the ring with a record of 37 wins, 3 loses 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 the less experienced professional fighter, having had 15 less fights, and made his debut in 2012, 4 year and 2 months later than Tapales, whose first professional fight was in 2008. He had fought 112 less professional rounds, 156 to Tapales' 268.
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 beat Stephen Fulton on 25th July 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.
Previous to that, he had beat Paul Butler on 13th December 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 7th June 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 beat Aran Dipaen on 14th December 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 19th June 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 8th April 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.
Previous to that, he had won against Jose Estrella on 14th May 2022 by knockout in the 2nd round at Dignity Health Sports Park, California.
Going into that contest, he had defeated Hiroaki Teshigawara on 11th December 2021 by knockout in the 2nd round at Dignity Health Sports Park, California.
Before that, he had been beaten by Ryosuke Iwasa on 7th December 2019 by technical knockout in the 11th round at Barclays Center, New York.
He had beat Roberto Castaneda on 1st June 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 to 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, meaning he had been fighting on average 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 is expected to begin at 3:00 AM EST / 12:00 AM PST. The Sky Sports Arena broadcast of the card is expected to start at 10:00 AM (BTS).
What were the odds on Inoue vs Tapales?
Naoya Inoue was a 1/20 (-2000) favourite going into the contest, while Marlon Tapales made his way into the ring at 9/1 (+900) with oddsmakers.
Inoue all the way…win by KO
Inoue is one of the most well rounded fighters that I have seen up to date. An is taking all challenges as they come to try an become one of boxing greats to do it in the sport!
How to get tickets?
How to buy ticket Naoya Inoue vs Marlon Tapales in Japan?
100% to Inoue, I will be in Japan, hope I could watch the game!!