Pacquiao makes Tapales-Inoue fight available on free TV

MANILA, Philippines -- MP Promotions is joining forces with Cignal TV and ArenaPlus to give Filipinos an opportunity to watch the historic fight of Filipino Marlon Tapales and Naoya Inoue of Japan on free television on Tuesday, December 26.

Tapales, the reigning WBA and IBF super bantamweight champion, is looking to become the first Filipino and only the 10th man in history to hold the four lineal belts at the same time as he takes on Inoue, who holds the WBO and WBC titles.

But the task is far from easy with the unbeaten Inoue standing in his way and a big crowd expected to back the world’s number one pound for pound fighter in their duel at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

With so much at stake, no less than Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao stressed it was imperative that the Tapales-Inoue fight must be made available on as many platforms as possible for Filipino fight fans.

“Regalo ko ito sa bawat Pilipino, para ma panuod ng buong Plilipinas na makamit ni Marlon ang kaunaunahang Undisputed World Championship sa history ng boksing sa Pilipinas,” said Pacquiao, the only eight-division champion in boxing history.

Joe Ramos, the MP Promotions CEO, said making the fight available in the Philippines is part of their company’s mission to spotlight Filipino athletes in the biggest arena.

“As part of of our ongoing mission of bringing sports sa lahat ng sulok ng Pilipinas, we are proud to partner with Cignal and ArenaPlus, to show Tapales and Inoue live here in the Philippines, para sa lahat ng kababayan natin maka-witness ng history,” said Ramos.

Live coverage starts at 7 p.m. on One Sports and on the Pilipinas Live app.

“Cignal is honored to partner with MP Promotions to ensure that this big boxing event featuring our very own, Marlon Tapales, is accessible to all Filipino boxing fans," said Sienna Olaso, Cignal TV FVP/Head of Channels and Content.

"Fans can watch via our free-to-air channel One Sports & can stream anytime and anywhere for free on the Pilipinas Live app."

Now in the final stages of preparation for the biggest fight of his career, Tapales held a light workout in front of select media at the Elorde Plus Gym in Parañaque City.

Even with his preparation, Tapales said he cannot come in overconfident, aware of Inoue’s caliber as a fighter. 

“Of course, 'di naman tayo kumpiyansa, si Inoue yung kalaban natin, pero gagawin ko po ang lahat ng makakaya ko na malampasan ko si Inoue. Hindi sya basta-basta pero papakita ko sya na lalaban ako,” said the Tubod, Lanao del Norte native, who beat Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev in April via split decision to pocket the two super bantamweight belts.