It’s not often that a Filipino fighter racks up an unbeaten record in Japan. The late great Flash Elorde registered 24 fights in Japan, winning 13 and drawing once. Manny Pacquiao fought only once in Japan, taking out Shin Terao in one round in 1998. John Riel Casimero also battled once in Japan, settling for a fourth-round technical draw with Yukinori Oguni last month. Nonito Donaire ventured twice in Japan, losing to Naoya Inoue on a unanimous decision in 2019 and by a second-round knockout in a rematch last year.
Fighting in Japan has its risks and rewards. Reigning WBA/IBF superbantamweight titlist Marlon Tapales couldn’t care less. In fact, he doesn’t mind fighting anywhere. Where he fights isn’t an issue with Tapales. It’s a you-or-me situation when the bell rings and Tapales’ focus is to just get the job done. He’s compiled four wins in four fights in Japan, halting Ruben Manakane in Kanazawa in 2013, outpointing Hayato Kimura on a fifth-round technical decision in Kanazawa in 2014, stopping Shohei Omori in Kyoto in 2015 and repeating over Omori in Osaka in 2017.
On Dec. 26, Tapales will try to preserve his unblemished record in Japan when he takes on WBC/WBO champion Inoue in a unification showdown at the Ariake Arena, Tokyo. Inoue has a 25-0 record, with 22 KOs and his Filipino victims were Crison Omayao (KO4), Jerson Mancio (KO5), Warlito Parrenas (KO2), Donaire (UD12, KO2) and Michael Dasmariñas (KO3). Tapales’ record is 37-3, with 19 KOs.
Tapales said Japanese fighters exhibit a distinct style. Most come from a rich amateur background and display shifty footwork. Inoue has a style of his own. He’s aggressive, strong and unflappable. Boxing coach Nonoy Neri, who’s been in the corner of world champions like Pacquiao and Casimero, said it will take a barrage of punches to bring down Inoue, not just 1-2 combinations but non-stop flurries. Tapales said he has worked out a fightplan to neutralize Inoue with coach Ernel Fontanilla and execution will be key. He’s not disclosing what’s up his sleeve. Inoue will get the surprise of his life when they clash.