By Joe KoizumiPhotos by Naoki Fukuda
“Monster” Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs), 121.75, impressively collected all four championship belts as he, WBC and WBO champion, finally caught up to WBA and IBF ruler Marlon Tapales (37- 4, 19 KOs), 121.5, and dropped him with a devastating right hand for the count at 1:02 of the 10th round on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.
Inoue, in the fourth round, dropped Tapales with a solid left-right combination followed by a vicious left hook, and we thought it would be a matter of time before the Monster finished him off soon. But Tapales survived and showed his aggressiveness and durability to make the fight longer than expected.
In the tenth, however, Naoya broke free and landed a hard straight right with no left, causing Tapales to stagger back and down the ropes behind him. The Filipino southpaw couldn’t beat the count.
Undisputed champion Naoya said: “I appreciate Tapales accepting this ultimate unification fight. He was brave and durable. But she finally collapsed with the accumulation of punishment from him. The next fight will be in May.” He thoroughly entertained the packed crowd at the Ariake Arena, who seemed very pleased with Inoue’s complete coronation in just five months since his last victory over then WBC and WBO champion Stephen Fulton.
Promoter: Ohashi Promotions.
