Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales undercard: Full listing of fights earlier than important occasion in 2023 boxing match

Historical past might be made in Japan when Naoya Inoue and Marlon Tapales conflict to find out the undisputed bantamweight champion on December 26. The combat airs on ESPN+ within the U.S.

Inoue (25-0) is a four-division champion, constantly preventing for gold since 2014. The previous gentle flyweight, tremendous flyweight, and bantamweight champion beat Paul Butler in 2022 to change into undisputed on the bantamweight stage. At all times as much as problem himself, Inoue ran by Stephen Fulton in July to change into the WBC and WBO tremendous bantamweight champion. Now, “The Monster” goals to change into an undisputed champion in one other weight class and would change into solely the second male fighter to take action. 

“I am extra motivated than earlier than, and that has exceeded my expectations,” Inoue mentioned by way of Kyodo Information. “I have been coaching on the premise that I will be going through a talented all-round boxer. I’ve gotten myself into higher situation than I used to be for the Fulton bout. Tapales is trying to pull off an upset, so I will be cautious.”

Tapales (37-3) is a two-division champion, successful WBO bantamweight gold in 2016. On a four-fight win streak, the “Nightmare” beat Murodjon Akhmadaliev in April for the IBF and WBA tremendous bantamweight belts. The 31-year-old has 19 wins by way of knockout and can look so as to add the favourite in Inoue to his assortment of wins by way of the facility punch. 

WATCH: Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales, solely on ESPN+

A number of native fighters look to impress on the undercard outdoors the primary occasion. Right here’s a breakdown of the complete Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales undercard. 

Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales undercard

Seiya Tsutsumi vs. Kazuki Anaguchi; Bantamweights

• Division/Weight: Bantamweight
• Tsutsumi report: 9-0-2
• Anaguchi report: 6-0
• Belts at stake: N/A 

Seiya Tsutsumi faces Kazuki Anaguchi.

Tsutsumi (9-0-2) turned professional in 2018. The 27-year-old fought two fighters to a attract 2020. Profitable native Japan gold on the bantamweight stage, Tsutsumi final fought in August, beating Riku Masuda by way of a unanimous choice scoring. 

The 23-year-old Anaguchi (6-0) turned professional in 2021. He’s 2-Zero in 2023, beating Shori Umezu in his final combat in August by way of a unanimous choice scoring. 

Kanamu Sakama vs. John Paul Gabunilas

• Division/Weight: Flyweight
• Sakama report: 8-0
• Gabunilas report: 10-2
• Belts at stake: N/A 

Additionally on the cardboard is Kanamu Sakama vs. John Paul Gabunilas. 

MORE: Who’s the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet?

Sakama (8-0) turned professional in 2021. The 20-year-old has gained all however one combat by way of knockout. His final contest was a TKO win in July in opposition to Ryu Horikawa.

Gabunilas (10-2) turned professional in 2019. The 23-year-old had his eight-fight win streak snapped in August in opposition to Miel Fajardo.

Yoshiki Takei vs. Mario Diaz Maldonado

• Division/Weight: Tremendous Bantamweight
• Takei report: 7-0
• Maldonado report: 21-6
• Belts at stake: N/A 

Yoshiki Takei fights Mario Diaz Maldonado on the cardboard. 

Takei (7-0) began his profession as a kickboxer. Becoming a member of the game in 2009, he turned professional in 2014 and gained the Okay-1 Grand Prix twice. A former Okay-1 tremendous bantamweight champion, the 27-year-old joined boxing in 2021. He has gained all his fights by way of knockout, his final contest a knockout win in July in opposition to Ronnie Baldonado.

Maldonado (21-6) turned professional in 2014. “El Triturador” misplaced his third combat in 2014 and went on a 15-fight win streak after. That streak was snapped in opposition to Erik Ruiz in 2018. The 28-year-old is 2-Three in his final 5 contests, his final combat a TKO loss in June in opposition to Jesus Arechiga Valdez.

Andy Hiraoka vs. Sebastian Diaz Maldonado

• Division/Weight: Tremendous Light-weight
• Hiraoka report: 22-0
• Maldonado report: 18-6-1
• Belts at stake: N/A 

Additional down the cardboard is Andy Hiraoka vs. Sebastian Diaz Maldonado. 

Hiraoka (22-0) turned professional in 2013. “Da Blade” has gained eight fights in a row by way of knockout since 2019. His final contest was a TKO win in August 2012 in opposition to Min Ho Jung.

MORE: Canelo vs. Benavidez needs to be subsequent

Maldonado (18-6-1) turned professional in 2013. “El Verdugo” misplaced in opposition to Lee Reeves in Could 2022 for the NABF tremendous light-weight title. Since then, he’s 1-1, shedding his final contest in August in opposition to Eduardo Ramirez. 

Suguru Ishikawa vs. Fuga Uematsu

• Division/Weight: Featherweight
• Ishikawa report: 3-5-1
• Uematsu report: 1-0
• Belts at stake: N/A 

Suguru Ishikawa fights Fuga Uematsu.

Ishikawa (3-5-1) turned professional in 2019. The 35-year-old has traded wins and losses in his profession and is 1-2-1 in his final 5 fights. His final contest was a TKO loss in Could in opposition to Soyo Ikezaki.

Uematsu (1-0) turned professional in September, beating Yuki Takashima by way of TKO. 

Rikiya Sato vs. Keisuke Endo

• Division/Weight: Tremendous Featherweight
• Sato report: N/A
• Endo report: 0-2
• Belts at stake: N/A

Lastly, Rikiya Sato fights Keisuke Endo.

The 18-year-old Sato is making his professional debut. 

Endo (0-2) turned professional in 2021. He final fought in April 2022, shedding in opposition to Rinya Takahashi.

When is Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales?

WATCH: Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales, solely on ESPN+

How one can watch Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales: TV channel, reside stream

The Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales important card will air on ESPN+ within the U.S. The undercard will air solely on ESPN+. 

Naoya Inoue vs. Marlon Tapales worth: How a lot does the combat value? 

You’ll be able to pay $10.99 for a month-to-month subscription to ESPN+ or purchase an annual subscription for $109.99.