Simply superior

Naoya Inoue is expected to feast on kimchi when he defends the undisputed world super-bantamweight crowns Friday in Tokyo.

The fight involving Inoue and challenger Je Yoon Kim of Korea is something Filipino fight fans are going to watch regardless of the result.

You see, there are a couple of Filipino fighters — four actually — that are going to somehow be affected by the outcome.

But among the four, ex-unified champion Marlon Tapales and Carl Jammes Martin are the ones who would feel the after shock of the Inoue-Kim faceoff at the Ariake Arena.

Tapales is rated No. 3 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), No. 5 by the World Boxing Association and No. 2 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).

The unbeaten Martin, meanwhile, is listed at No. 5 by the IBF and No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

Also ranked are ex-super-fly titlist Jerwin Ancajas, No. 10 by the IBF and three-division titleholder Johnriel Casimero, ranked No. 12 by the IBF, No. 11 by the WBC and No. 7 by the WBO.

Given Casimero’s status (he is suspended by the Japan Boxing Commission until October 2025 for weight issues), it doesn’t look as if he will be granted a title shot in case Inoue opts to move up in weight.

If Inoue wins against Kim (a lot of people say only a freak accident is going to prevent that from happening), he will likely have a fight or two left in the division before attempting to invade the feather ranks.

Once that happens, Tapales and Martin would definitely be picked to vie for the vacated thrones.

As for Kim’s chances against Inoue, the chance is there but just like what I have said somewhere in this piece, it is remote.

It is like saying that Inoue ends up stepping on a banana peel on his way to the ring.

On fight night, sushi is going to prevail over kimchi.