TOKYO, Japan — For almost the entire week that Filipino boxing people were here, not even once when they saw Naoya Inoue in training.
“He trains on another floor,” Ramon Falgui, the right-hand man of premier Filipino promoter JC Mananquil, told DAILY TRIBUNE.
Mananquil and company were here to accompany world-rated flyweight Dave Apolinario for a fight he won handily last Wednesday at the Korakuen Hall.
In the run-up to his win over Bryan Mosinos of Mexico, Apolinario, who was signed to a promotional contract by former world champion Hideyuki Ohashi, trained at the Ohashi Gym in neighboring Yokohama.
The secrecy can be attributed to the fact that Inoue’s unification showdown with Filipino Marlon Tapales is nearing completion that even small details about his buildup for a proposed December duel are being kept within the camp.
Mananquil also manages and promotes Tapales and there is a reason why Ohashi people have maintained a safe distance from the visitors the past few days.
In about two weeks, a representative of Inoue — led by Akihiko Honda — will hold talks once again with Tapales’ team headed by Sean Gibbons here.
If things fall into place, Inoue and Tapales are squaring off in December.
Meanwhile, Tapales is now in Los Angeles to kick off the conditioning stage of his buildup.
