So while we are thinking that this is an easy fight for Inoue, his camp doesn't think that way.
From this article publish by philstar global, this is what Inoue has said during an interview.
https://www.philstar.com/sports/2023/12/21/2320508/inoue-admits-feeling-scared-tapales-showdown-nears“What scares me the most is people around me think it will be an easy fight,” the soft-spoken pound-for-pound star said during a media workout the other day in Japan.
Inoue and his camp just recognizes the danger Tapales brings to that table that they admitted bringing in sparring partners from abroad who have differing styles so they would be ready for anything come fight night.
Inoue showed respet to the ability of his fellow champion, and that's the kind of attitude I like on a boxer as it will reflect on his work ethic. Now, with this humble words from him, it's hard not to think that he'll beat Tapales easily.
Japanese fighters are known for always being polite and respectful. Inoue isn't going to downplay or trash talk his opponent. Even if he won't admit it publicly, Inoue is well aware of his superior abilities. Tapales isn't a bad fighter by any means but Inoue is a generational talent and anything short of a dominant victory will be considered a disappointment. I am sure that Crawford beating him in becoming undisputed twice will motivate him to try and get a spectacular finish so that he can be considered the pound for pound king.
Indeed, Japanese in general aren't trash-talkers and are polite. Of the countless Japanese world champions in this sport, I can only remember one who is arrogant and that is the eldest of the Kameda brothers.
If Inoue schools Tapales and then knocks him out. Will he replace Crawford becomes again the pound-for-pound king? Tapales could be out of Spence's level although the guy is a 2 division champion. But it's a great achievement if Inoue wins, only the second to become a 2-division undisputed champion in the 4-belt era. And then by early next year, we have Oleksandr Usyk also trying to become a 2-division undisputed champion as well and also has a serious case to become the new pound-for-pound king.
True, Japanese have that discipline that's why they don't talk trash against their opponents, and on the contrary are very respectful. I think if Inoue wins here then it's going to be a tough call as to who will be the pound for pound or even fighter of the year.
Crawford already did it, at 140 and 147 lbs and Inoue will be the second at 118 and 122 lbs to accomplished and unify belts in 2 divisions.
So that is a huge accomplishment for the Japanese and I think he will set the record in Asia (same with Inoue if he wins).
Yes and you cannot deny the great power that Inopue has in this fight, in fact with respect to Tapalesm, it is not that I am a dissective person, but that will be something that Inoue has to show off, because this is the moment to give us the Christmas gift for us who are Inoue's fans without a doubt, for me Inoue represents what a boxer should be, he is a respectful person, he only dedicates himself to his sports, he is the best at it and has a lot to show, of course In fact, I think that his success has always been because he does not leave a single day to rest, he is always working his body and has a lot to show, in this order of ideas things can be very good when they try to do things well, for That's when something like this fight is done, the bets can be very much in his favor, I'm not saying that Tapales is easy, because he is a very good boxer, with great abilities, but to be at the level of an Inoue it is difficult, Noya has always shown that this sport makes it look easy, but that's how he is, he has the talent.
Furthermore, not only is it all there in the talent, it is also in the work he has for this, he always shows that he can do things well even as things are, be it in Japan or in any other country, he always shows that he is the best, I think his success is also because his training is getting harder and harder, and since that is what keeps him in shape, I would like Inoue to reach the heavyweight category, so that he can crown himself with everything, because he is a boxer who has the capabilities to do it and this can cause a lot of commotion, a Japanese being heavyweight champion, uff is a great achievement, of course I'm speculating, I don't know what the goals and expectations of the Japanese are, but I think it's going on a very good path, so far he has gained many fans and many use Inoue as a great motivation in boxing, I would like to see him become much bigger than he is now.
BoxingScene.com's Television Pick of The Week - December 23
On December 13, 2022, 30-year old Naoya Inoue (25-0, 22 KO) became the first undisputed bantamweight champion in more than fifty years. The junior featherweight division might have briefly been a thing in the 1920s, but its real incarnation starts in 1976. There has never been an undisputed champion. A roster of championship greats that includes Wilfredo Gomez, Jeff Fenech Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Manny Pacquiao and yet no one has ever assembled all the major belts. It didn’t happen when there were two, three, or four. Inoue has a chance to make that history but 31-year old Marlon Tapales (37-3, 19 KO) stands in the way.
Tapales enters off the best win of his career, a rousing upset earlier this year of Murodjon Akhmadaliev. Inoue has won titles in four weight classes. Tapales has won them in two, including a brief title stint at bantamweight. Inoue is heavily favored to win but Tapales is tough, has quick hands, and fighters expected to lose often fight like they have nothing to lose along the way. Can Inoue add to what is becoming a historically great career in what could soon be a decade of dominance?
Source:
https://www.boxingscene.com/boxingscene-television-pick-week-december-23--180214
