Naoya Inoue makes boxing history, reinstates pound-for-pound claims with ‘devastating shots’

Japan’s Naoya Inoue has made boxing history, becoming just the second man to conquer two divisions with another devastating fight.

Inoue with his four super bantamweight belts.

Japanese boxing superstar Naoya Inoue has defeated Marlon Tapales in Tokyo on Tuesday night to become just the second two-division undisputed champion in the modern four-belt era.

Inoue put his WBC and WBO super bantamweight belts on the line against Filipino Tapales, who was the IBF and WBA champion.

Boxing: INOUE VS TAPALES TUES 26th DEC 7PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

Inoue was a class above but Tapales lost no admirers, taking the fight to the 10th round before eventually succumbing to Inoue, who won via TKO.

The 30-year-old Japanese megastar had the upper hand in the early stages and secured a knockdown late in the fourth round.

But Tapales somehow bounced back in the fifth, going toe to toe with ‘The Monster’ in some scintillating exchanges as he held his own.

Tapales showed a serious chin to withstand countless blows to the head and body, but Inoue claimed victory when a heavy right hand brought Tapales to his knees and the underdog couldn’t get back to his feet before the standing count.

Inoue celebrates on the ropes after sending Tapales to the canvas.

The win takes Inoue’s record to 26-0 (23 KOs) and means he is now the undisputed super bantamweight world champion after he conquered the bantamweight division.

He is a remarkable 21-0 (19KOs) in title fights.

He joins welterweight king Terence Crawford as the second man to be undisputed champions in two dividions in the four belt era. Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields have also achieved the feat.

Inoue has previously been ranked No. 1 in The Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound rankings and this result cements his status as one of the best boxers on the planet.

21-0, 19 KOs in world title fights. Dominant from 108-122.

Pound for Pound #1

— Evan Korn (@KornerMan44) December 26, 2023

I’ll wake up at any time to watch Inoue fight. What a pleasure to watch. What a beast.

Undisputed again.

What a year for him.

You can make a legit case right now for about 5 fighters as #1 p4p? What a time.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 26, 2023

Undefeated Australian Sam Goodman (17-0, 7KOs) has risen up the super bantamweight rankings with four victories in 2023 and has said he would relish a fight against either Tapales or Inoue.

Goodman is the No. 1 contender in the IBF and WBO divisions.

Inoue with his four super bantamweight belts. Photo: Main Event.

Inoue vs Tapales round updates

Round 1: An interesting first round as Inoue takes his time to adjust to Tapales but showed glimpses of his power.

Tapales landed a couple of shots but will need to keep moving and not stand still and be a sitting duck for Inoue’s brutal one-two punch.

Round 2: Tapales is hanging in there and isn’t afraid to be aggressive, but Inoue is landing jabs and body shots with ease.

Round 3: A more measured approach by Tapales but still a good round from Inoue, who is starting to open the shoulders and swing.

Round 4: Oh boy, Inoue has gone beast mode. The Monster peppered Tapales with absolutely brutal body shots and knocked down the Filipino late in the round.

“Devastating body shots by Inoue,” Curran Bhatia said in commentary.

Round 5: Tapales has two belts for a reason and he’s fighting back here, landing some blows in his best round yet.

Round 6: This is Inoue at his best. He’s connecting with shots to the head and the body with ease and is well on top. But Tapales has settled into a rhythm and his defence is holding up.

Round 7: Tapales is showing a serious chin as he cops countless shots from Inoue as the pair go to-toe-to. This is turning into an epic scrap and Tapales might have won that round.

Round 7 the first I’ve given to an Inoue foe since the first Donaire fight. Tapales doing a great job with that snappy jab.

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) December 26, 2023

Tapales has produced tons of good work in the last two rounds. But the difference in power & sharpness when Inoue unleashes is night & day.

— Jamie Bourne (@BoxeoBourne) December 26, 2023

Round 8: Inoue is having to pick and choose his moments now and Tapales is using his jab well.

Former lightweight champion Jamel Herring said: “He’s got Inoue thinking now. It’s a chess match. Early in the fight it was a slugfest.”

Round 9: Another round to Inoue, but Tapales has lasted way longer than anyone expected.

Round 10: Inoue connected with a heavy right hand, backing Tapales against the ropes and he falls to his knees. Tapales can’t make it up before the standing count is over and that’s it, Inoue makes boxing history.

Naoya Inoue went full beast mode. Photo: Main Event.

9.50pm - Challenger loses his legs after losing co-main

Seiya Tsutsumi defeated Kazuki Anaguchi via unanimous decision in an entertaining co-main event.

Anaguchi was knocked down four times, including a final blow that left him on the canvas with five seconds left in the last round.

It was a wild fight considering Anaguchi had been winning many rounds but undid all his good work when he got knocked down.

Anaguchi embraced Tsutsumi but his team had to hold him up as his legs wobbled and he nearly collapsed against the ropes after the fight.

The challenger collapsed after the co-main event. Photo: Main Event.

Aussie wants to fight super bantamweight kings

Undefeated Australian Sam Goodman (17-0, 7KOs) has risen up the super bantamweight rankings with four victories in 2023 and has said he would relish a fight against either Tapales or Inoue.

Goodman is the No. 1 contender in the IBF and WBO divisions.

Full fight card

Naoya Inoue (c) def Marlon Tapales (c) for the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF super bantamweight titles (1:02 into Round 10, TKO)

Seiya Tsutsumi def Kazuki Anaguchi (UD) - Bantamweight

Andy Hiraoka def Sebastian Diaz Maldonado (Round 5, TKO) - Super Lightweight

Yoshiki Takei def Mario Diaz Maldonado (Round 2, KO) - Super Bantamweight

Originally published as Naoya Inoue makes boxing history, reinstates pound-for-pound claims with ‘devastating shots’