Naoya Inoue scores 10th-round KO for undisputed championship،
Japanese star Naoya Inoue scored a 10th round knockout of Marlon Tapales on Tuesday in Tokyo to win the undisputed junior featherweight championship.
“The Monster” landed two partially blocked right hands in succession, but following a systematic breakdown of Tapales, the blows were enough to end the fight.
After the second shot landed, Tapales went to his knees following a delayed reaction and was counted out at 1:02 of the 10th round to bring Inoue to his second undisputed championship in 12 months.
Inoue (26-0, 23 KO) also scored a knockdown in round 4 after a connected left hand followed by a barrage of punches.
“I think [junior featherweight] is my weight category for now so, in 2024, I would like to show myself at [junior featherweight] in an even stronger form,” Inoue said in interpreted remarks.
“…I'm so happy to get the knockout in such a decisive way.”
Inoue, ESPN's No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer, won the undisputed 118-pound championship last December with an 11th-round knockout of Paul Butler.
Inoue, 30, then made his 122-pound debut in July against the division's top fighter, Stephen Fulton. Inoue knocked him out in round 7 to win the WBC and WBO titles.
Tapales (37-4, 19 KOs) offered far more resistance than Fulton but found no answer. The Filipino landed the highest payday of his career after beating Murodjon Akhmadaliev in April via a split decision to win the WBA and IBF titles.
His heavy, sharp jab was also effective against Inoue, but it only served to stave off the inevitable. After all, Inoue was a -2000 favorite, according to ESPN BET.
Tapales, 31, was driven and determined, but was outmatched in every category imaginable: speed, power, strength and athleticism. Tapales was able to use his intelligence and effective pressure to support Inoue, but sustained success was more difficult to achieve.
Inoue pounced on every precious punching opportunity with explosive combinations as Tapales boxed from a high guard. It was wise to show such respect to Inoue's power.
Inoue's last opponent to hear the final bell was Nonito Donaire in ESPN's 2019 Fight of the Year. Inoue blew him out in the second round of the rematch.
Tapales, a former 118-pound champion, simply couldn't keep up with Inoue blow for blow. In round 4, the southpaw and Inoue exchanged hooks to the body; Inoue won the exchange. Moments later, he rocked Tapales with a left hook before planting him on the canvas.
Inoue patiently pursued the knockout after this sequence, knowing that Tapales is a competent counterpuncher. The underdog connected on a series of powerful right uppercuts in round 5 and found his best success in round 7 thanks to the strength of his jab.
But like all of Inoue's previous opponents at 108 pounds and above, it was only a matter of time.
“He never showed me any fatigue or facial damage, so I was quite surprised when he fell in the 10th round,” said Inoue, who has now stopped seven consecutive opponents.
“It was probably one of the most intense fights I've had before, but my corner lifted my morale and kept me focused throughout the fight.”
Inoue could then focus on Luis Nery. The Mexican earned a title shot with his thrilling KO victory over Azat Hovhannisyan in February's WBC eliminator. The organization is part of the rotation system used for unified champions. Inoue said his next fight is scheduled for May.
He has already marked his place in boxing history with his sustained dominance at the elite level. Inoue has proven that his greatness is not about weight with titles in four weight classes, but seems determined to weigh 122 pounds for the foreseeable future.
