Entering the last week of 2023, the boxing world will see an excellent clash as the marvelous and undefeated Naoya Inoue squares off with the superb Marlon Tapales (37-3) for multiple super-bantamweight titles. Highlighted in this space before, Inoue is a four-division world champion and the current unified super bantamweight world champion, holding both the WBC and WBO super bantamweight titles since July. Meanwhile, Tapales is coming off a split-decision win over Murodjon Akhmadaliev where he locked down the WBA (super) and IBF super-bantamweight titles. With 19 knockouts in his career, this will be the southpaw’s biggest challenge yet as no one has been able to slow down the Monster.
In this article, SBS will be going over what to look for from each fighter, a predicted fight winner, and also more notes about boxing wagering.
As noted in prior articles, Inoue is one of the dominant fighters in the sport, and for good reason. With an unblemished professional record of 25-0, the 30-year-old Japanese fighter has notched an astounding 22 knockouts in his career. Moreover, he is coming off an eighth-round TKO victory over Stephen Fulton earlier this year at the Ariake. In that fight, he first knocked Fulton down with a left hook that forced the referee to stop the contest. Moreover, Inoue had out-landed his opponent 114 to 47 in total punches and 70 to 24 in power punches by that point per one report.
After the course of that bout, he became only the second-ever Japanese fighter to win major titles in four weight classes, following Kazuto Ioka. In addition to being undefeated, the Japanese athlete has won his last six bouts via TKO or KO and has been sensational in most fights. Finally, as of earlier this fall, he is ranked as the world’s second-best active boxer, pound-for-pound, by multiple publications.
As noted above, Tapales is coming off a dramatic split-decision victory over Murodjon Akhmadaliev for the WBA (Super) and IBF super-bantamweight world titles. A fighter with another menacing nickname – “Nightmare” – the Filipino southpaw has his work cut out for him, but he has also been marvelous in his career. Since falling in an IBF title bout to Ryosuke Iwasa in December 2019, Tapales rattled off four consecutive victories, including three by either TKO or KO.
In addition to his overall record, Tapales has accrued a mark of 6-3 in title fights throughout his career. Moreover, the Filipino fighter has only lost one fight since May of 2013 and has been able to win bouts in a blend of ways from knockouts (11) to decision wins (five). Having held world championships in two weight classes, Tapales is definitely one of the most renowned fighters in the world.
Prediction: No fighter has been able to slow down Inoue for long, plus this bout will be held in his native Japan which will only bolster the fortitude of the undefeated champion.
After you are all set with your homework and analysis on this bout, make sure to also check out the variety of information available to you at SBS. Of course, for even more information on the sport at hand, our boxing betting sites guide has you covered with the latest betting markets and news on the sport and even more title fights. Moreover, for those on the go, the best betting apps breakdown is a fantastic resource on mobile betting and always staying on top of the action. Finally, if you are uncertain about which routes are the best for your deposits and withdrawals, check out the payment methods rundown. On this page, you can find all kinds of options from cryptocurrencies to more traditional banking options.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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