WBA and IBF super-bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales graciously went up to the ring and joined newly-crowned WBC and WBO title holder Naoya Inoue at center on Tuesday night in Tokyo, Japan.
A few months from now, there will be only one of them proudly standing as the undisputed champion at the 122lbs division.
Naoya Inoue vs Marlon Tapales
Talks are now being made for the two champion fighters to face each other – hopefully before the end of the year – in a unification match to recognize the best super-bantamweight in the world today.
Tapales, 31, brought along with him his two title belts as he watched at ringside Stephen Fulton stake his championship crowns against Inoue.
The 30-year-old Japanese ‘Monster’ later on did his part by demolishing Fulton inside eight rounds to wrest the WBC and WBO version of the division.
Shortly after, Inoue invited Tapales to join him in the ring as the two belt holders stood side-by-side at centerstage of Ariake Arena.
The two later shook hands after agreeing to fight down the road.
See Pacquiao faces kickboxing great Buakaw in ‘Match of Legends’
"Yes, Sean (Gibbons) has been talking with them (Inoue camp)," said Sanman CEO JC Mananquil, who handles Tapales.
Gibbons is president of MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions.
Inoue improved his perfect record to 25-0 (22 KOs), and is undefeated in 18 world title fights, putting him as the consensus top fighter pound-for-pound in the world today.
Tapales, who became the WBA and IBF champion last April following a split decision win over Murodjon Akhmadaliev, carries a 37-3 record (19 KOs).
The Filipino world champ was accompanied by Mananquil, trainer Errel Fontanilla, and Gibbons during the trip to Japan.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
