Both World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization super bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’the Monster’’ Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym and World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation super bantamweight kingpin Marlon Tapales of the Philippines cleared the weigh-ins, respectively on Dec. 25 at a Yokohama hotel, setting the stage for their title unification fight the following day at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.

  The 30-year-old Inoue tipped the scales at 55.2 kg whereas the 31-year-old Tapales weighed in at 55.0 kg, both within the class limit of 55.3 kg (122 lbs).

  If Inoue wins, he will become the second boxer in the history of the world to claim undisputed championship status in two different weight divisions. Terence Crawford of the United States is currently the only boxer to achieve the feat as he held the undisputed championship at light welterweight and welterweight.

  After the weigh-ins, both Inoue and Tapales shook hands. Inoue said, ‘’I think Tapales had a hard time making the weight. But he made it clearly. I think how to attain recovery from the weight-reduction effort would make a difference (in the fight).’’

  ‘’It’s perfect for me. While I climbed through the ropes at the weight of 60.1 kg (132.5 lbs) in my (title winning) previous fight (with Stephen Fulton of the U.S. in July), I hope to repeat that this time around.

  Inoue has a record of 25 straight wins, including 22 KOs, while the left-handed Tapales has a 37-3 win-loss tally with 19 KOs.

Celestino Ruiz of the U.S. will serve as the nonscoring referee. Three judges are Robin Taylor, Raul Caiz, both of the U.S., and Craig Metcalfe of Canada.