Marlon Tapales (entrance) is waved off by the referee after getting struck down by Naoya Inoue (again turned). —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS/WENDELL ALINEA
TOKYO—Japan’s Naoya Inoue stated he was nonetheless as hungry as ever after turning into an undisputed world champion in a second weight class on Tuesday, knocking out Marlon Tapales to say all 4 tremendous bantamweight belts.
The unbeaten Inoue, nicknamed “Monster,” floored the Philippines fighter with an enormous proper hand within the tenth spherical in Tokyo so as to add the World Boxing Affiliation (WBA) and Worldwide Boxing Federation (IBF) titles to his personal World Boxing Council and World Boxing Group belts.He grew to become solely the second man to unify all 4 world titles in two totally different weight courses, following American Terence Crawford.
Inoue wanted simply two fights to turn out to be the first-ever undisputed tremendous bantamweight world champion, 12 months after finishing his rampage via the bantamweight division.The 30-year-old took his report to 26-0 with 23 KOs and stated he was simply getting began on the greater weight class.
“One yr in the past, I used to be in the same scenario after claiming all 4 belts,” stated Inoue, who final yr grew to become the primary undisputed bantamweight champion in half a century earlier than vacating his titles to maneuver up a division.“I needed to indicate my appreciation to all of the individuals who had supported my profession.
“However no matter the truth that I’ve these 4 belts, I nonetheless need to battle extra nice matches.”
Inoue knocked out American Stephen Crawford in his tremendous bantamweight debut in July however he needed to dig deeper to see off Tapales.
The 31-year-old from the Philippines went down within the fourth spherical however clawed his manner again into the match with a dogged efficiency.
Inoue lastly ended Tapales’ problem with a ferocious proper hand that his opponent by no means appeared like getting up from.
Naoya Inoue (left) connects with a proper to Marlon Tapales.
Inoue stated Tapales was a “very robust” fighter who shocked him along with his robust protection.
“He saved a poker face all through and didn’t present that my punches had been doing him any harm, so I used to be fairly shocked when he went down within the tenth spherical,” he stated.
Tapales upset Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev by break up choice in April to win the IBF and WBA titles.
He vowed to return again from the loss however conceded that the consequence was a good one.
“I used to be impressed by Inoue’s method as a boxer, and I used to be shocked by his velocity,” stated Tapales, whose report dropped to 37-4 with 19 KOs.
“He was very quick and I simply wasn’t in a position to meet up with him.”
Inoue has received world titles in 4 totally different weight divisions, having additionally triumphed on the gentle flyweight and tremendous flyweight ranges.
‘Sense of feat’
He knocked out England’s Paul Butler in December final yr to turn out to be the primary undisputed bantamweight world champion since Panama’s Enrique Pinder in 1972.
Crawford beat fellow American Errol Spence in July to win all of the welterweight belts and turn out to be the primary man to unify all 4 world titles in two totally different weight courses.
Inoue stated he felt “a way of feat” after following in Crawford’s footsteps.
“I believe tremendous bantamweight is probably the most appropriate weight class for me in the meanwhile,” Inoue stated.
“Subsequent yr and the yr after that, I need to show that I can turn out to be a good stronger fighter.”Inoue has stated that he intends to retire at 35 however he hinted earlier this yr that he would possibly delay his profession for 2 further years.
He stated his performances will dictate when he hangs up his gloves.
“If I really feel like I’m slowing down, I’d even retire earlier than I’m 35,” he stated.
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“However I don’t need to speak about retirement simply now.” —AFP