Ahead of the anticipated showdown of Marlon Tapales vs Naoya Inoue in Tokyo on December 26, Marlon Tapales stands as the underdog, with critics giving him minimal chances against the esteemed pound-for-pound fighter. However, Marlon Tapales carries an unwavering belief in his training and skill set, providing a source of confidence despite the odds stacked against him.
“I’m not confident just because of my weight class; it’s my training that gives me the edge against Naoya Inoue,” expressed Marlon Tapales in Filipino, emphasizing the pivotal role his preparation plays in the upcoming bout.
Training rigorously in Baguio City, Marlon Tapales capitalizes on the city’s high altitude to elevate his conditioning under the guidance of Quincy Hatcher, an American strength and conditioning coach. This strategic training approach aims to push Marlon Tapales into the best shape of his career.
The 31-year-old native of Tubod, Lanao del Norte, delves into rigorous training sessions, utilizing various sparring partners to fine-tune his skills. Recently, Marlon Tapales engaged in intense sparring sessions, notably completing 10 rounds against three different opponents at the Shape-Up Boxing Gym. His preparations include rigorous sparring with former title contender Vincent Astrolabio, Pete Apolinar, and Kevin Aseniero, enhancing his readiness for the challenge ahead.
Marlon Tapales, the current holder of the WBA (Super) and IBF super bantamweight belts following his remarkable victory against Murodjon Akhmadaliev, is anticipating an intense face-off against Inoue.
Naoya Inoue, an undefeated Japanese fighter, boasts an impressive record with 22 of his 25 wins concluding inside the distance. Notably, his recent dominance against Stephen Fulton showcased his prowess, yet Tapales remains unfazed, believing that Naoya Inoue’s true strength lies in his past battles.
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Reflecting on Naoya Inoue’s remarkable bout against Nonito Donaire Jr. in November 2019, where Naoya Inoue exhibited resilience by overcoming injuries, Marlon Tapales identifies this as Naoya Inoue’s peak performance. Despite Inoue’s remarkable victory against Fulton, Marlon Tapales perceives the Inoue-Donaire encounter as the pinnacle of his adversary’s abilities.
As the much-anticipated fight approaches, Tapales’s confidence remains unshaken, rooted in his training regimen and steadfast determination to face Inoue at his best.
Image source: ringtv.com