The Master: Inoue Stops Tapales to Become Undisputed Junior Featherweight World Champion

TOKYO, Japan — WBC/WBO junior featherweight world champion Naoya “The Monster” Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) made historical past once more.

The Japanese pound-for-pound famous person knocked out Filipino IBF/WBA champion Marlon Tapales in spherical 10 to seize the undisputed junior featherweight championship Tuesday at Ariake Area in Tokyo.

With the victory, Inoue joins Terence Crawford as the one male two-weight undisputed champions within the four-belt period. A four-weight world champion, Inoue is 21-0 with 19 knockouts in title fights and has knocked out his final seven foes.

Tapales (37-4, 19 KOs), a two-weight world champion, noticed his four-fight profitable streak finish.

Inoue mentioned, “I’m so blissful that I acquired the knockout in such a decisive method.

“He by no means confirmed me fatigue or injury from his face, so I used to be fairly shocked when he went down within the 10^th spherical.

“It was one of the crucial intense fights I’ve ever had, most likely, however my nook cheered me up and saved me centered all through the bout.”

Tapales, who gained the unified world championship earlier this 12 months, got here out because the aggressor and tried to sluggish Inoue down with a concerted physique assault. Inoue responded with savage physique blows, sweeping the early rounds on the scorecards. Late within the fourth, a collection of left hooks dropped Tapales, who rose simply earlier than the bell sounded to finish the spherical.

Tapales discovered his rhythm within the center rounds, backing Inoue up and ripping physique photographs within the seventh and eighth. “The Monster” discovered his stride within the ninth and completed off Tapales within the tenth with a proper hand that put him down for the depend. The pound-for-pound king, who began his profession at 108 kilos, added two extra belts to his huge assortment.

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Govt Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and in addition a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.