YOKOHAMA, Japan - Unified champion Marlon Tapales may be facing greater odds against an opponent considered as one of the top fighters in the world pound-for-pound.
But not in any way he will just roll over and die against the highly-touted Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue.
Sky is the limit and history beckons on the Filipino southpaw should he pulls off one of boxing's greatest upsets of all time.
Tapales vows to create history
"Pareho kaming dalawa na gustong manalo lalong-lalo na ako para makagawa ng history sa Pilipinas," said Tapales on Sunday.
'Gusto kong magbigay ng magandang laban at gusto kong manalo sa laban."
The two champions came face-to-face for one final time on Christmas Eve during the final presser for the undisputed super-bantamweight championship of the world held at the Yokohama Sheraton Hotel.
Inoue is unbeaten in 25 fights
No one so far has stopped Inoue - known as The Monster - in 25 career fights including 22 by knockouts and currently the WBC and WBO holder of the 122 lbs belts.
He was previously the undisputed bantamweight champion of the world, and will be eyeing to do the same in the super-bantamweight division as he tries to add the WBA and IBF titles being held by Tapales.
The 30-year-old Inoue also doesn't see any problem facing a southpaw opponent like Tapales.
"I don't feel that's a disadvantage. So nothing special. I just trained against a southpaw boxer," said Inoue.
Tapales vows to bring the fight to Inoue.
"Gusto kong manalo at hindi ako mananalo kung lagi akong nakadepensa," said the Filipino, holder of a 37-3 record with 19 KOs.
"Tama yung naging training ko. Alam ko kung ano yung dinala ko rito. Kaya lalaban ako," added Tapales, who's fighting out of Sanman Promotions and promoted by MP Promotions.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum expects a great fight from the two world champions.
"This fight, marked my word, will be going to be a sensational bout," said the 92-year-old promoter.
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