In just over a year, the accomplished four-division titlist and esteemed pound-for-pound fighter clinched his second undisputed championship. This remarkable feat was accomplished through an eleventh-round knockout of Marlon Tapales from the Philippines. Inoue displayed his prowess with two knockdowns, the latter prompting the full ten count at 1:02 of the tenth round. The unification of the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO junior featherweight titles took place on a Tuesday evening at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

In the opening round of their Lemino/ESPN+ main event, Inoue showcased his composed demeanor. The pound-for-pound standout chose to evaluate Tapales by employing his jab and sporadically delivering a right hand. Meanwhile, Tapales took on a conservative strategy, maintaining a tight defense. Despite this, he experienced a moment of triumph with a left hand that successfully found its way over the top of Inoue's guard.

In the second round, Inoue unleashed his right hand with increasing fluidity. This development spelled trouble for Tapales, who was unable to fulfill his promise of directly taking the fight to the four-division champion. Instead, Tapales adopted a more passive approach, anticipating counter opportunities that failed to materialize. In a pivotal moment, Inoue connected with a right hand after Tapales overextended on a jab.

Up until the third round, Tapales maintained a defensively responsible strategy. Inoue sought to penetrate the Filipino's guard, unleashing a four-punch combination along the ropes. Tapales, however, remained unfazed by consecutive taunts from Inoue, cleverly timing the second one to respond with a jab upstairs and a left hand to the body.

In the fourth round, Inoue showcased his full readiness. While both fighters traded body shots, Tapales found it challenging to deliver any impactful blows that would catch his opponent's notice. In contrast, Inoue threw each punch with absolute determination. Pressing Tapales against the ropes, Inoue executed a sequence of a left hook, a right hand, and a finishing left hook, sending Tapales to the canvas just before the ten-second mark, prompting the referee to initiate an eight count.

In the fifth round, Tapales gritted his teeth and unleashed his left hand. Inoue absorbed the shots effectively, yet, for the first time, he acknowledged his opponent's punching power. A well-placed right uppercut from Tapales connected, but he couldn't capitalize on it, as Inoue swiftly adjusted and promptly retaliated with his own punches.

In the latter part of the sixth round, Inoue asserted his dominance. Tapales initially advanced and displayed effective boxing skills until he was caught by successive lead right hands, propelling him across the ring. In the remaining minutes, Inoue sustained his assault, delivering seamless combinations to the head as Tapales grappled to regain his balance.

In the ninth round, Inoue capitalized on Tapales' extended jab, connecting with two right hands in succession. Tapales retreated but managed to stay on his feet, responding with body shots. Although Inoue's subsequent right hand was blocked by Tapales, the Filipino fighter countered with a jab and a left hand. Inoue then unleashed a powerful right hand down the center, prompting Tapales to cover up and refrain from retaliating.

In the opening moments of the tenth round, Inoue landed a one-two combination. Although Tapales initially remained on his feet, his stability was short-lived. Inoue delivered a decisive final right hand that unsettled Tapales, leading him to collapse onto the canvas. Despite Tapales' evident determination to rise, his physical condition prevented him from getting up in time to beat referee Celestino Ruiz's ten count.

The defeat marked the conclusion of Tapales' reign as the WBA/IBF junior featherweight titleholder, lasting just under nine months. Despite a notable split decision victory over Murodjon Akhmadaliev that caused a significant upset, Tapales' four-fight winning streak came to an end as his record fell to 37-4 (19KOs) with this loss.

Tapales has experienced setbacks in successfully defending his title in both of his two reigns. His time as the WBO bantamweight titlist concluded at the scales when he failed to make weight before an eleventh-round knockout of Shohei Omori in Osaka in April 2017. While he had previously maintained an undefeated record of 3-0 on Japanese soil, that flawless mark came to an abrupt end.

Inoue extended his undefeated record to 26-0 (23KOs) with his latest historic victory.

This notable achievement occurred a mere five months after he made history as Japan's first-ever two-division unified titlist, securing a remarkably one-sided, eighth-round knockout of Stephen Fulton on July 25 at the exact same venue. Additionally, a mere 54 weeks ago, he visited this venue to fully unify the bantamweight division, achieving an eleventh-round knockout against England's Paul Butler.

In achieving this latest accomplishment, Inoue managed to unify two divisions in the four-belt category in a quicker timeframe than any other boxer in history.

Terence Crawford (40-0, 31KOs) had a six-year gap between his undisputed championships in the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions. On the other hand, Claressa Shields achieved the status of undisputed middleweight champion just 23 months after her April 2019 victory over Christina Hammer, securing every major title in the junior middleweight division.

Before transitioning to bantamweight, Inoue secured major titles in the junior flyweight and junior bantamweight divisions. His move to bantamweight, especially in the latter part, has marked the beginning of a historic streak.

According to his own statement, the upcoming few fights will follow a more conventional format.

Inoue reiterated his earlier confirmation to BoxingScene.com that he intends to stay in the 122-pound division for at least another year. The next probable step involves a mandatory title defense against WBC's number-one contender, Luis Nery, with Akhmadaliev positioned as the WBA's top-ranked challenger in the wings.

Following this victory, Inoue boasts a record of 19-0 (17KOs) in primary title fights across four weight divisions, complemented by two first-round knockouts in distinct WBA 'Regular' title contests at the commencement of his bantamweight journey.

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