Tapales To Be In Attendance For Fulton vs Inoue
On July 25, Stephen “Cool Boy” Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) defends the unified junior featherweight titles against multi-divisional champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The boxing world will have their eyes on that match-up. One fighter who will be paying close attention is the other unified champion in the division, Marlon “Nightmare” Tapales (37-3, 19 KOs).
THE MISSION IS CLEAR
According to the Filipino sports outlet PhilBoxing, he will be ringside in Tokyo. Tapales won the titles by upsetting previously undefeated Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev by a split decision in April of 2023. Since the win over MJ, The Nightmare has made it clear that he wants to become the undisputed champion. There’s a window in which he has the opportunity to accomplish that goal.
In June 2023, the WBA gave clearance for the 30 year-old to seek a match with the winner of Fulton vs Inoue. Therefore, Tapales will be on hand doing some serious scouting in Japan. Privately, he is optimistic and hopeful that Inoue ends up the victor. Word on the street is that representatives of Tapales have been in contact with the camp of Inoue about a fight with the Japanese superstar later this year.
