Japan will have a major boxing event happening during the Christmas holiday, this year. The country is known for having a big New Year’s Eve card but now appears set to have a historic undisputed world title fight.
The latest development, revealed by boxing personality Steve Kim heavily suggested that the super-bantamweight unification bout between Naoya Inoue and Marlon Tapales will likely occur in Japan on Boxing Day, December 26th, adding a fitting touch to the occasion.
“So Bob Arum tells me that he believes things are moving forward for Naoya Inoue-Marlon Tapales for all the belts at 122, in Japan on December 26," said Kim via social media.
It was further explained that Inoue is believed to be fighting in the United States next year.
Naoya Inoue, who boasts the nickname "The Monster," has one of the most impressive resumes in modern boxing. Having already become an undisputed world champion in the bantamweight division, he will attempt to match Terence Crawford as the only two male boxers to be undisputed in two different weight classes.
His opponent, Marlon Tapales, holds the WBA and IBF belts. While Tapales is not that well-known, he upset long-standing world champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev. The bout didn't have a rematch clause, which is how Tapales is heading into this undisputed fight.
Naoya Inoue is one of the two best fighters in the world as Inoue and Terence Crawford seemingly are at the top of most pound-for-pound lists. Inoue when he fights in Japan garners substantial TV ratings and consistently delivers thrilling fights, which have made him a huge star in his native land. The idea of Inoue returning to the U.S. means he might be looking to become a global icon, not unlike what Manny Pacquiao did. Inoue is a major story in boxing as he is one of the only fighters in boxing who brings a country with him which has been a trait of global icons in the sport of boxing.
