It’s interesting times for newly minted IBF and WBA super bantamweight titleholder Marlon Tapales.
In addition to becoming a two-weight world champion, thanks to a points victory over the previously unbeaten Murodjon Akhmadaliev in April, Tapales will soon get the opportunity to make history by fighting the winner of Stephen Fulton and Naoya Inoue.
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That bout would crown the first undisputed super bantamweight champion in boxing history.
The 28-year-old Fulton is unbeaten in 21 fights with eight knockouts and he is a supremely gifted technician. What “Cool Boy” lacks in power, he more than makes up for in speed, skill, and ring craft. The Philadelphia-based star is the reigning WBA and WBC titleholder.
Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) is one of the finest pound-for-pound fighters in the world today. Already a three-weight world champion, “The Monster” signed off at bantamweight as the undisputed champion following an 11th-round stoppage of Britain’s Paul Butler. In his post-fight interview, the 30-year-old Inoue immediately challenged Fulton for the unified crown.
#FultonInoue#7月25日#有明アリーナ#井上尚弥 pic.twitter.com/GiqiepNK5q
— 井上尚弥 Naoya Inoue (@naoyainoue_410) June 2, 2023
That bout takes place on July 25 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, and from there it looks like it’s all systems go for an undisputed showdown, which is great news for fight fans.
“Tapales defeated Akhmadaliev in a controversial and close fight,” said WBA chairman Carlos Chavez in a press release issued by the sanctioning organisation.
“Matchroom Boxing made a direct rematch request to the WBA and although there are elements that could support it, it is not feasible to do so at this time.”
Instead of biding his time to face a mandatory challenger or a lower-tier opponent, Tapales petitioned the WBA to face the Fulton-Inoue winner.
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Well, the Filipino lefty’s wish has been officially granted.
“This bout would be a unification of the WBA, IBF, WBC, and WBO titles, which is a powerful reason to admit it for the sake of boxing,” said Chavez.
The WBA has also ordered an elimination bout between Akhmadaliev and former bantamweight champion Tomoki Kameda.
