Naoya Inoue knocks out Marlon Tapales in the 10th round to become the undisputed champion of the 122 pound division. Read more about this thrilling boxing match and what’s next for Inoue.
| Fight Summary |
|---|
| Naoya Inoue knocks out Marlon Tapales in the 10th round |
| Inoue becomes the undisputed champion of the 122 pound division |
| Tapales showed resilience despite being knocked down |
| Inoue’s next plan is to defend his super bantamweight world titles |
Naoya Inoue has once again proven his dominance in the boxing ring by knocking out Marlon Tapales in the 10th round. This victory has earned Inoue the title of undisputed champion of the 122 pound division.
Tapales, who held the WBC and WBO junior featherweight titles, put up a valiant effort against Inoue. However, it was Inoue’s powerful punches that ultimately led to his victory. In the fourth round, Inoue dropped Tapales with a devastating blow. And in the tenth round, a partially blocked right hand from Inoue put Tapales to one knee, resulting in a knockout.
Throughout the fight, Inoue showcased his superior skills, outstriking Tapales 146-52 overall and 114-43 in power punches, according to Compubox. Tapales struggled to connect with just a 17% success rate.
Despite the defeat, Tapales displayed incredible resilience by bouncing back from the knockdown in the fourth round and continuing to fight with determination. The battle between these two fighters was truly a spectacle for combat sports fans, making it a memorable Christmas present.
Looking ahead, Inoue has confirmed that his next plan is to defend his super bantamweight world titles. The most likely candidate for his next opponent would be WBC mandatory challenger Luis Nery. However, Nery’s past issues with drugs and weight may pose a challenge in getting licensed in Japan.
| Fight Statistics |
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| Inoue vs. Tapales |
| Total Punches Thrown |
| Power Punches Thrown |
| Connect Percentage |
