Inoue too fast, strong for Tapales

TOKYO – Marlon Tapales of the Philippines got it right when he said during Sunday’s press conference that the fight won’t last the distance.

But it was Naoya Inoue of Japan, known as “The Monster,” who remained standing in the end in their super-bantamweight unification fight at the packed Ariake Arena.

Inoue, the overwhelming favorite, needed a couple of rounds to size up Tapales. But once he did, it was pretty evident who the better fighter was on this very cold evening here.

“Hindi man ako pinalad, ginawa ko lahat,” said Tapales during the post-fight press conference.

“Magaling si Inoue tsaka mabilis. Mabilis talaga so hindi ko masabayan. I did my best to perform in the ring,“ added Tapales.

Nicknamed “Nightmare,” Tapales went down once in the fourth round, and then for good in the 10th after taking a long right straight to the head as he tried to back away from another right straight. He went down on his knees, tried to feel himself but couldn’t get up.

The 31-year-old Filipino was in tears while being hugged by his manager, JC Manangquil, on top of the ring. He had vowed to beat Inoue or go down fighting.

Inoue ended up with all four belts (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO) in his corner, becoming only the second boxer in history to become undisputed world champion in two weight divisions.

The 30-year-old Inoue, now undefeated in 26 fights with 23 knockouts, followed the footsteps of Terence Crawford (light-welterweight and welterweight).

Tapales, also a former world champion at bantamweight, will go home without a belt. He left the ring and headed to his locker room, surrounded by his men in black, even while Inoue was being interviewed in the ring.

With the loss, the Philippines will close the year with no world champion in boxing.

“Big shoutout to Marlon Tapales for fighting me. I was surprised when he got down. But it was an intense fight,” said Inoue, his face unmarked like he had just climbed the ring to fight.

The opening round was a quiet one with neither boxer landing any clear, solid punch. It was more of a getting-to-know-you round with Tapales reaching out with his left straight and Inoue with his right.

Early in the second round, Tapales went down. But it