Every belt in the super bantamweight class is on the line when undefeated WBC and WBO champ Naoya Inoue takes on WBA and IBF title holder Marlon Tapales in an undisputed title bout on December 26 in Tokyo, Japan. It’s rare to see a title fight with such disparaging odds but that’s exactly what we have for this one. Inoue cruised through the bantamweight ranks claiming the undisputed title with an 11th round TKO of Paul Butler 12 months ago becoming the first Japanese fighter to hold an undisputed title in the four-belt era. I did a double take when looking at the odds of Inoue as a -2385 favorite on the early boxing betting line.
According to oddsmakers Tapales shouldn’t even show up for the bout. But he didn’t become a world champion in two weight classes by not fighting. He isn’t given much of a chance positioned as a +950 underdog making him even more dangerous since he probably figures he has nothing to lose. Tapales earned his belts last time out scoring a split decision over Murodjon Akhmadaliev and also held the bantamweight title for a brief time in 2016.
Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales Betting Odds
Naoya Inoue -2385
Marlon Tapales +950
The 12-round super bantamweight fight for the undisputed championship between Naoya Inoue ( 25-0, 22 KOs ) and Marlon Tapales ( 37-3, 19 KOs ) will take place on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The fight will air on ESPN+.
Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales Fight Preview
If Tapales can survive the hammer fists of his opponent he might have a chance. That’s a big ask though and the main reason why he’s a big underdog. Few in the sport throw harder than Inoue, who has a KO percentage of 88 with 22 of his 25 wins coming via that route. Nicknamed The Monster for his relentless approach, Inoue is known for his punching prowess both to the head and body while also having exceptional timing and footwork. Several outlets have Inoue ranked as the world’s best active super bantamweight.
Before starting his professional career, Inoue agreed on his own to never fight easy opponents. His first pro bout was against Filipino national champ Crison Omayao, who he beat with a fourth-round KO. In just his fourth career fight he beat Ryoichi Taguchi via unanimous decision for the Japanese light flyweight title and has been involved in some type of title fight ever since.
In his sixth pro fight Inoue stopped Adrian Hernandez with a fifth-round TKO to win the WBC light-flyweight title and five months later successfully defended with a dominant win over Samartiek Kokietgym. Just three months later he KO’d Omar Narvaez to claim the WBO junior bantamweight belt capping a busy 2014. He continued moving up the ranks besting every opponent that dared enter the ring with him. Inoue won the WBA bantamweight title in 2018 with a first round TKO of Jamie McDonnell.
The Monster’s last six fights were all won by stoppage with only one going past eight rounds. That one took place 12 months ago in a bantamweight unification bout with Paul Butler. Inoue pummeled Butler with repeated body shots eventually leading to a TKO in the 11th round. Inoue had a 151 to 38 advantage in total punches.
has more of a history in the ring with 40 career fights in a career that started in 2008. He had a number of regional title fights before breaking through with a KO of Pungluang Sor Singyu for the WBO bantamweight title in 2016. Prior to his split decision win over Akhmadaliev in April for the WBA and IBF super bantamweight titles, Tapales had three straight KO wins.
Bet Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales
I’ve never seen title fight odds like what’s posted for this bout. It just shows how good Inoue is. There’s always a path to victory and Tapales is looking at all angles. However, Inoue has been an absolute machine his entire career and I can’t see him losing this fight. There is no value backing him for the win so shorten the odds by going for a method, KO is the most likely, and a round. And it wouldn’t be a bad idea to drop a few bucks on Tapales for a massive payout on the upset.
Boxing Odds Pick: Naoya Inoue / TKO
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