Marlon Tapales’ mission in Japan is two-fold.
First and foremost is for him to become the first Filipino undisputed world champion.
The second is the one that matters to Naoya Inoue, who faces Tapales for all the major belts in the world.
If Tapales scores an upset in their 26 December duel at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, he will deny the Japanese knockout king from becoming a two-time undisputed world champion.
Inoue had been an undisputed champion at bantamweight, a feat he had pulled off last year.
But becoming undisputed again in a second weight class is everything to him.
Tapales, who won all his fights in Japan, will be right there to prevent that from taking place.
But just about everyone doesn’t think Tapales has a chance of winning.
However, his track record is solid as a rock, having racked up huge wins when his back was against the wall.
Banking on his hard and intense three-month buildup for Inoue, Tapales and his team feel they can get the job done once again.
While Inoue holds the clear edge in punching power, there are facets of the game that can determine winning and losing.
There is conditioning. Will to win. Experience.
Tapales did high-altitude training for almost six weeks, has proven himself in adversity and has a wealth of experience fighting on hostile ground against crack opposition.
Unlike the ones Inoue had easily butchered, Tapales insists he won’t answer the bell shaking like a leaf.
“I come to win,” he said.
Inoue does, too.
Surely, somebody’s going to get knocked out.
Now, place your bets.
