The Ohashi Gym in Yokohama was packed with members of the Japanese media on Wednesday eager to size up the Filipino fighter who has been given virtually no chance to upset the hometown hero in their four-belt encounter next week versus Naoya “Monster” Inoue.
Marlon Tapales and his entourage, their spirits high and confident demeanor clearly visible, did an open workout 24 hours after their arrival from Manila as part of his promotional obligation.
Five days ago, Inoue hosted his own open training session with nobody from Tapales camp present.
When it was Tapales’ turn, the think-tank of Inoue was among those in attendance, blending well with the crowd.
Spotted were Shingo Inoue, the pound-for-pound star’s father and trainer, and Hideyuki Ohashi, his promoter.
Facing someone who is said to be invincible, the camp of Tapales remains focused on the daunting task.
“We can do it, Marlon can do it,” JC Mananquil, Tapales’ promoter said as the countdown began for the 26 December unification showdown at the Ariake Arena.
After the brief appearance that catered to the Japanese media, Team Tapales went back to their official residence at the Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers for the real workout.
“There is a gym here in the hotel where we can do pretty much everything, mitts, shadowbox…,” Mananquil added.
Wednesday afternoon’s appearance was the last time Tapales got out since the press conference (24 December) and official weighin (25 December) are going to be held at the hotel’s ballroom.
Making sure Tapales gets what he needs, the father-and-son tandem of Sean and Brendan Gibbons are there to guarantee that.
Mananquil said they have pots and pans and other cookware needed to prepare Tapales’ dietary and nutritional needs on the eve of the fight and the day of the fight.
Inoue, holder of the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization straps, is heavily favored to repulse Tapales, who enters the ring dangling the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation belts.
But the visiting puncher from Lanao del Norte insists he didn’t train for three months in Las Vegas and the Philippines and travel to Japan to hand them on a silver platter.
Truly, the excitement is building up.
