I like the confident attitude of Marlon Tapales, the current WBA /IBF superbantamweight world kingpin.
He will challenge newly-crowned WBC/WBO Naoya Inoue for a unification duel in this weight category tentatively set in December..
The Monster, who climbed up to the 122 division, very recently TKO’d American Stephen Fulton to maintain his unblemished record of 25-0 with 22 KOs.
Tapales, from Lanao del Norte, is not intimidated by Inoue’s KO record that includes a two-round demolition of Nonito “The Flash” Donaire in their rematch last year.
Nicknamed “The Nigthmare,” Tapales, 31, boasts of a 37-3 win loss tally with 19 KOs.
This does not pale in comparison, huh?
With a resume like this, our countryman cannot be underestimated even if boxing oddsmakers may place him as the eventual underdog.
The 30-year old Inoue loves to fight in his native Japan and I am wondering if fighting in his homecourt gives him the herculean strength to dispose off his opponents with ease and impression.
Well, not to degrade and disparage Nonito, I thought the age gap between him and Inoue spelled the big difference, aside from speed, punching power and reflexes.
I hope the boxing world shares my assumptions.
Boxing glory is oftentimes acceded to the young and the strong.
And the wily.
A positive mindset is everything Tapales needs to possess if he is to score an upset over the Japanese gladiator.
Not the usual braggadocio that we hear and read about that comes out from challengers who want to increase their PPV rating but the attitude that Norman Vincent Peale has long written about.
I used to nurture a scenario where John Riel Casimero and Inoue were the combatants.
Sorry but this did not come about.
There is no way that Tapales; date with Destiny will be ignored and missed.
The Pinoy champion holds the two other belts that Inoue aspires to secure to enthrone the latter – in case the Monster wins – as the undispuited ruler in this new division he has climbed into.
So this match up is like something that is made in heaven.
Tapales, other than beating Inoue as his most important goal, will have the opportunity to avenge the many Pinoy boxers whom Inoue previously sent to slumberland.
He has a three-month training timeline to follow in the US.
Tapales and his handlers should carefully plot out the gameplan and not to peak too early.
Actually, it might be good that the title confrontation is held in Japan where the timezone uis almost the same with the Philippines..
Tapales should be in Japan at least 10 days before the fight to acclimatize himself with the weather and his environment..
Good luck, Marlon! (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
