Inoue should focus first on Marlon Tapales, although we wanted to support him as a big underdog, but we really haven't seen a boxer close to defeat Inoue. Only Nonito was able to almost beat Inoue in their first encounter, very close fight and Donaire broke Inoue's orbital bone. But after that, Inoue level up and knockout everyone he fights, including a rematch with the Filipino Flash.
Nonito Donaire Jr. is the reason why Naoya Inoue puts up more intense training on his regime.
It's the first time in Inoue's career that he suffered a serious injury after his fight and that was because of Donaire. Prime vs. Prime, Donaire might crash Inoue but it now remains speculation forever since unfortunately, they weren't able to meet at the right time.
Inoue vs. Tapales - even my support will go to Tapales, I do not see him winning against the prime Inoue, really sorry to say that. No one in the Bantamweight or Superbantamweight is close to Inoue's strength right now even those who are in the top rankings in that division.
We understand, even the Filipino here says that it will be a very tough fight for Tapales to win against the formidable Inoue. We haven't seen any strategy on how to defeat him, since the close fight against Nonito Donaire. It was only Donaire that give Inoue the biggest test of his career and he won in, albeit he got seriously injured. But in the rematch, Inoue extract his revenge with a 2nd round knockout.
Going back to the Tapales, the only thing I heard is that he should used his awkwardness if there is as such tactic in boxing. And be somewhat unpredictable so that Inoue will somewhat be confused. But I don't see it enough to upset the monster. Unless Tapales landed a perfect punch and then Inoue can't recover from it. The only one that can beat Inoue here is himself, if he slacks on training and underestimated Tapales.