Philippines, 20 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Iwasa stops Tapales in New York


PhilBoxing.com




Brooklyn, NY - Marlon “The Nightmare” Tapales (33-2, 16 KOs) failed in his attempt to become a two-time world champion in New York City.

Tapales was stopped by Ryosuke Iwasa (26-3, 16 KOs) of Japan in the eleventh round for the interim International Boxing Federation junior featherweight championship belt at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

A left hook by Iwasa dropped the Filipino fighter in the round. Tapales stood up to beat the count but was obviously wobbly after the knockdown. This prompted Referee Shada Murdaugh to put a stop on the contest despite Tapales’ objection.

This was the second scored knockdown for Iwasa, who previously held the belt.

In Round number 3, a left to the body dropped Tapales to his knee. But that was coupled with a head butt that landed at the same time.

Tapales complained after he rebounded from the questionable knockdown that it was a head butt but Referee Murdaugh still gave him a standing 8 count.

Iwasa was leading in all of the scorecards prior to the stoppage. Judges have it 97-92, 97-92 and 95-94 for the former champion.

Iwasa won the battle of southpaws. He was successful in finding his mark on Tapales’ face throughout the bout. Tapales was reddened and swollen on the right side of his face prior to the stoppage - a result of Iwasa’s left hooks.

Tapales tried to rebound after his knockdown in the 3rd, he was aggressive in the fourth and fifth round. He scored lefts of his own in the 5th, winning the round unanimously in all of the judges’ cards.

Iwasa took control of the middle to the rounds prior to the knockout. He trapped the Filipino numerous times in the ropes and unloaded combos that put Tapales in the cover. He was cruising to his victory until he unloaded a perfect punch to Tapales’ jaw which ended the fight. He faked a right punch and then released a strong left hook that sent his foe down and under the ropes of the ring.

"I knew that I had him hurt in the 11th round and I was ready for the finish if the referee had let him keep fighting. It was a tough fight but I trained really hard for this performance.” said Isawa.

With his victory, Isawa will have to face IBF’s main champion, Daniel Roman in a future bout to determine the real champ of the organization’s 122 pound division.

“We're ready for anyone next. I'm going to keep working hard to become a world champion again next year."

You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Spotlight on Mexico City: boxers speak ahead of IBA Pro 18
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama Outshines MVP Gilgeous-Alexander as Spurs Beat Thunder 122-115 in Double Overtime Thriller
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 0 MUST GO: SELDON JR. vs. POPPER — JUNE 13 AT THE TROP
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • CARL “THE COBRA” FROCH REUNITES WITH ANDRE WARD ON ART OF WARD FOR FIRST IN-DEPTH SIT-DOWN SINCE THEIR LEGENDARY SUPER SIX FINAL
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • BOXING LEGEND DARREN BARKER ANNOUNCES 'THE LONGEST ROUND' – A WORLD-FIRST ENDURANCE CHALLENGE FOR MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • IBA stands ready to organise Jon Jones professional boxing fight in Russia
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Eight More Wins on Day Two at 2026 Copa America
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • QC ends PCAP Season 6 All-Filipino conference campaign
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • It’s in the blood
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • “The fans will be the true winners” – Angel Ayala ready for IBA PRO 18 in Mexico City
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Rematch option for Melvin
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • World-class stablemates John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez & Darius ‘DFG’ Fulghum fighting on same card Friday night in San Jose
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Ignacio Defeats Malayan to Claim Title and USD 10,000 Prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Dominates Day One of 2026 Copa America with 11-0 Record
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Reina Tellez Returns to the Ring Following World Title Challenge Against Amanda Serrano
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Mombay, Garras top Helubong 50km Uphill Ultra Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Arijan Goricki Knocks Out Hassan Ndonga in Nairobi
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • USA Boxing's High Performance Squad Sets Sights on Gold at 2026 Copa America
    , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Team Sugar Rush wins Sir Jessie Villasin Chess Team 2X2 Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 18 May 2026
  • Paolo Gallito, 6 others in the last 16 in Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis Returns Home With Decision Win Over Nahir Albright
    , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Heartbreak in Johannesburg: Jerusalem Dethroned by Kuse in Bloody Rematch
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 17 May 2026
  • Roy Jones Jr. Blasts Dana White and Zuffa’s Push to Reshape Boxing During Explosive “Boxing Primetime Show” Interview
    , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright II
    , Sat, 16 May 2026
  • Jerusalem vs. Kuse II: High-Stakes Rematch in Johannesburg
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 16 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.