SPORTS
Advocates Philippines
Inoue, First Super Bantamweight To Unify Four Belts
Photo credit: Naoya Inoue
In a historic showdown for the super bantamweight division, Naoya "The Monster" Inoue asserted his dominance over challenger Marlon Tapales, securing a 10th-round victory and becoming the first fighter in the 122 kg weight class to unify all four world titles—WBA, IBF, WBC, and WBO—in the four-belt era.
The much-anticipated bout saw a cautious start, with both fighters engaging in a tactical battle. Tapales showcased a solid defense, but Inoue's relentless pursuit and powerful combinations gradually shifted the momentum in his favor by the fourth round. The turning point came when The Monster sent Tapales to the canvas with a late flurry, testing the Filipino's resilience just before the end of the fourth round.
Survival mode kicked in for Tapales as Inoue's blinding speed and precision became increasingly challenging to counter. Despite absorbing formidable shots and offering occasional counterattacks, Tapales found himself overwhelmed by Inoue's superior skill and power. In the 10th round, The Monster pressed the action, delivering crushing blows to both the head and body of Tapales, ultimately forcing the Filipino to his knees in surrender.
Inoue's victory not only solidifies his status as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing but also marks him as the first man to unify all four belts in the super bantamweight division. Furthermore, he joins the elite ranks of two-division four-belt unified champions in the modern era, a feat previously achieved only by Terence Crawford.
Sharing his triumph on Instagram, Inoue expressed his gratitude, stating, "I've done a 4 wheel system I've been able to show you all some amazing scenery again this year!! The view from the ring with four belts was amazing. Thank you for your support."
Naoya Inoue's historic accomplishment adds another chapter to his illustrious career, leaving boxing fans eager to witness the continued rise of The Monster in future matchups.
The much-anticipated bout saw a cautious start, with both fighters engaging in a tactical battle. Tapales showcased a solid defense, but Inoue's relentless pursuit and powerful combinations gradually shifted the momentum in his favor by the fourth round. The turning point came when The Monster sent Tapales to the canvas with a late flurry, testing the Filipino's resilience just before the end of the fourth round.
Survival mode kicked in for Tapales as Inoue's blinding speed and precision became increasingly challenging to counter. Despite absorbing formidable shots and offering occasional counterattacks, Tapales found himself overwhelmed by Inoue's superior skill and power. In the 10th round, The Monster pressed the action, delivering crushing blows to both the head and body of Tapales, ultimately forcing the Filipino to his knees in surrender.
Inoue's victory not only solidifies his status as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing but also marks him as the first man to unify all four belts in the super bantamweight division. Furthermore, he joins the elite ranks of two-division four-belt unified champions in the modern era, a feat previously achieved only by Terence Crawford.
Sharing his triumph on Instagram, Inoue expressed his gratitude, stating, "I've done a 4 wheel system I've been able to show you all some amazing scenery again this year!! The view from the ring with four belts was amazing. Thank you for your support."
Naoya Inoue's historic accomplishment adds another chapter to his illustrious career, leaving boxing fans eager to witness the continued rise of The Monster in future matchups.
Dec 27, 2023
