Tapales promises to tame The Monster

MANILA, Philippines — WBA/IBF superbantamweight champion Marlon Tapales isn’t fazed by the reputation of newly-crowned WBC/WBO titlist Naoya Inoue and said yesterday he’ll be ready to tame the Japanese Monster when they clash in a unification showdown in Japan before the end of the year.

“Asahan niyo lalaban ako para manalo,” said Tapales who was at ringside with coach Ernel Fontanilla and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons when Inoue halted Stephen Fulton to wrest the WBC/WBO crowns in Tokyo last week.  “Isa sa amin babagsak, ‘di tatagal ang laban.” Tapales said Inoue’s strengths are accuracy in landing punches and power. But with Fontanilla’s guidance, he’s confident of executing a fight plan to become the undisputed king of the 122-pound division. Exactly what the strategy is, Tapales wouldn›t divulge. “Sikreto ‘yan,” smiled the Lanao del Norte southpaw who’s known as the “Nightmare.”

After Inoue stopped Fulton, Tapales and Gibbons climbed the ring to congratulate the winner. It was announced that they would fight next for the WBC/WBO/WBA/IBF belts. “Nag-congratulate ako sa kaniya at sabi ko, kami next,” said Tapales. Japanese media had a field day speculating what could happen in the duel which is tentatively scheduled in December. Tapales is now in General Santos City training at the SanMan gym. He plans to leave for Las Vegas on Aug. 20 and open camp with Fontanilla. Tapales could either fly straight from Las Vegas to Japan for the fight or go to Manila for the last stage of preparations, get over jet lag for about a week then move to Japan. What’s certain is Tapales will undergo at least three months of hard training for Inoue. “Ito ang pangarap ko na maging undisputed world champion,” he said. “’Di ko sasayangin ang pagkakataon.” Tapales, 31, has a 37-3 record with 19 KOs while Inoue, 30, boasts a mark of 25-0 with 22 KOs.