Marlon Tapales sparring partner optimistic on win vs Naoya Inoue

Hard-hitting Filipino featherweight Jonjon Estrada is convinced that Marlon Tapales will beat Naoya Inoue when they meet atop the ring for all the super bantamweight belts on December 26 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Estrada, 17-11-1 with 14 knockouts as a boxer, was one of Tapales' sparring partners in the last leg of his training camp in Baguio City. From what he saw, Estrada believes Tapales is very capable of beating the Japanese by knockout or decision.

"He (Tapales) is in very good condition. His punches surprised me because speed and power are there," Tapales shared in Filipino.

"Nothing is impossible if [Inoue] brawls with Tapales, talagang meron paglalagyan. But even if they finish the rounds, I would still go with Tapales because he never lets up, punches a lot, closes the distance, and he is aggressive."

Although a two-division champion and the current holder of WBA and IBF world super bantamweight titles, Tapales is seen by oddsmakers, experts, and fans alike as a huge underdog heading into the fight.

However, For Estrada, Inoue cannot look past the Filipino champion.

"I do not believe the people who say that [Tapales don't stand a chance] because he is a two-division champion and he is training hard. He is preparing hard and ready to fight. For what I experienced in sparring, he is very strong," Estrada stressed.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News