Highlights

  • Naoya Inoue's upcoming fight against Marlon Tapales is an opportunity for him to become a two-weight undisputed champion and solidify his claim to pound-for-pound greatness.
  • Viewers in the UK can watch the fight on Sky Sports on the morning of December 26, while those in the US can stream it on ESPN+.
  • Tapales, though determined, is seen as an underdog against Inoue due to Inoue's exceptional skills and power, making it challenging to envision a path to victory for Tapales unless Inoue has an off night.

On Boxing Day, Naoya Inoue aims to secure the status of a two-weight undisputed champion by facing Marlon Tapales. Inoue's ascent through weight divisions has been awe-inspiring, and a notable victory on December 26 could solidify his claim to pound-for-pound greatness. In his previous bout at 122lbs, Inoue impressively clinched the WBC and WBO super-bantamweight titles by delivering a knockout blow to the formidable American, Stephen Fulton.

With Tapales holding the IBF and WBA belts, this upcoming clash presents Inoue with the opportunity to attain undisputed champion status in two weight classes in the same year. Inoue's remarkable record of accomplishments began when he won a world title at light flyweight in only his sixth professional bout.

Start Time And Stream For Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales?

Here Is How To Watch The Last Big Boxing Fight Of 2023

Catch the live broadcast of the Inoue vs. Tapales bout on Sky Sports in the UK on the morning of December 26. The main card is scheduled to kick off around 10:00 a.m. UK time and 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time. For viewers in the United States, the event will be available for streaming on ESPN+.

Inoue vs. Tapales fight card

  • Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales; For the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF undisputed world super bantamweight titles
  • Seiya Tsutsumi vs. Kazuki Anaguchi; Bantamweight
  • Kanamu Sakama vs. John Paul Gabunilas; Flyweight
  • Yoshiki Takei vs. Mario Diaz Maldonado; Super bantamweight
  • Andy Hiraoka vs. Sebastian Diaz Maldonado; Super lightweight
  • Suguru Ishikawa vs. Fuga Uematsu; Featherweight
  • Rikiya Sato vs. Keisuke Endo; Super featherweight

Naoya Inoue Is A Big Favorite Against Marlon Tapales

The +800 underdog status assigned to Tapales isn't a reflection of his fighting capabilities but rather a testament to the extraordinary skills of Inoue, who undeniably ranks among the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. Inoue's effortless handling of Fulton, a formidable opponent, served as a vivid reminder of his exceptional prowess—marked by blazing speed, devastating power, and often overlooked technical proficiency.

While Tapales has experienced being dropped and stopped, notably by Ryosuke Iwasa, a respectable fighter lacking Inoue's staggering power, he enters the bout with determination. Despite his readiness to give it his all, it's challenging to envision a genuine path to victory unless Inoue experiences an exceptionally off night. Inoue will likely finish Tapales inside the first half of the fight.