Philippines, 07 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


STORY OF PHILIPPINE BOXING PART XLIV: MARLON TAPALES, WBO WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION


PhilBoxing.com




Marlon Tapales was born on March 23, 1992 in Tubod, Lanao del Norte. He turned professional at age 16 without fighting a single amateur bout, knocking out Nestor Gamolo in the 1st round on July 18, 2008.

Then he won on points over Sherwin McDo Lungay by MD, Jherom Tuyor by UD and Freddie Martinez by UD.

He stopped Charlie Lamila by 1st round TKO, then decisioned Ryan Tampus by UD, Rodel Tejares by UD and Michael Rodriguez by UD.

Tapales suffered his first defeat at the hands of Brix Ray of Davao City by 6th round TKO for the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) flyweight title in Surigao City on May 30, 2009.

He went on to grab wins over Jerson Mancio by UD, Armando de la Cruz by UD, and Randy Petalcorin by 2nd round TKO.

Nicknamed "Maranding Nightmare", he won the vacant Philippine Games and Amusement Board light flyweight title by stopping Warlito Parrenas by 7th round TKO on April 9, 2010 in his home town in Tubod.

Tapales successfully defended his belt against Charlie Cabilla via unanimous decision. Then he triumphed over Richard Olisa by UD, Rey Megrino by UD, Charlie Cabilla in a rematch by 1st round KO, Alejandro Solorio by MD, and Thailand's Manot Comput by 4th round KO.

He knocked Ugandan Martin Mubiru down thrice en route to a unanimous decision win. He stopped Rex Olisa by 3rd round TKO, and floored Indonesian Rasmanudin twice to win by 2nd round KO.

Tapales then lost to Mexico's David Sanchez in Hermosillo, Sonora on February 23 2013 in his foe's home turf for the interim World Boxing Council silver super flyweight title by majority decision.

He pummelled Indonesian Ruben Manakane by 4th round TKO in Kanazawa, Japan. Then he outpointed Fredirex Rodriguez by UD for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title.

Galih Susanto of Indonesia was the next victim whom Tapales conquered by UD. Followed by Hayato Kimura of Japan who lost by 5th round technical decision.

Tanzanian Fadhili Majiha challenged Tapales for the WBO Asia Pacific title but the Filipino champ prevailed over the black challenger by unanimous decision whom he downed in round 6.

Then Jecker Buhawe was knocked out in the 2nd round. Japan’s Shohei Omori was the next ring loser when he was also stopped in the 2nd round by TKO.

He traveled to Thailand to face Panya Uthok alias Pungluang Sor Singyu Onesong on July 27, 2016. The travel of Team Tapales to Bangkok then to Ayutthaya was delayed by one day and he struggled to make weight for the 118-pound limit.

Tapales got up from the canvas twice to stop Sor Singyu in the 11th round for the WBO world bantamweight title. He dropped the Thai twice in the 6th and 11th by connecting body punches.

In his first title defense against Japanese Shohei Omori in a rematch in Osaka, Japan on April 23, 2017, Tapales was two pounds over the limit and had starved in the last two days before the weigh-in but to no avail. He was stripped of his title belt, but knocked out Omori in the 11th.

Tapales demolished Tanzanian Goodluck Mrema in just one round in Quezon City on September 30, 2018.

On June 1 2019, he stopped Fernando Vargas Parra in the 5th round at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, California.

Tapales also knocked out Mexican Robert Castaneda in the 3rd round of their super bantamweight match also in San Jacinto, California.

He lost to Japan’s Ryosuke Iwasa by 11th round TKO for the interim IBF world super bantamweight title in Brooklyn, New York on December 7, 2019.

Tapales has fought 36 bouts, winning 33 with 16 KOs, losing 3 with 2 KOs.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • “Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
    , Tue, 03 Feb 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.