| |
|
Tapales in line for title shot
By Joaquin Henson PhilBoxing.com Wed, 18 May 2022
 Tapales (R) and Estrella during their fight last weekend in Carson, CA.
Marlon Tapales cemented his claim as mandatory challenger of Uzbek super WBA/IBF superbantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev by halting Mexico’s Jose Estrella with a body shot at 1:39 of the second round in Carson City, California, yesterday morning (Manila time).
Tapales, who once held the WBO bantamweight title, is ranked No. 1 by the IBF and No. 9 by the WBO. He has won 15 of his last 16 fights since 2013 and his last 10 wins came inside distance. “We want Murodjon next,” said Tapales’ manager JC Manangquil who was at ringside. “He’s the mandatory challenger as the IBFs No. 1 contender and working hard with coaches Ernel Fontanilla and Ting Ariosa at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.” Tapales, 30, raised his record to 36-3, with 19 KOs. Estrella, 32, was counted out by referee Ray Cordova. Tapales said he didn’t expect the fight to end so early but his counter left to the body was on the button and Estrella went down in a heap. “Ready na ako para kay Murodjon,” he added.
“Marlon’s 10 months training in LA allowed him to become more efficient,” said Ariosa. “He was able to practice his moves and did it without getting winded. He learned new skills in footwork and combination punching. He trains religiously and while training, he eats what he needs not what he likes. Big credit to coach Ernel who’s one of the best in punchmitt workouts. He’ll produce champions for years to come and will continue even when I’m retired from training boxers.” Tapales will take a 1 1/2 month home rest before reporting back to Wild Card to prepare for Murodjon.
Manangquil said another SanMan fighter Mike Plania will face unbeaten Ra’eese Aleem in a Showtime co-main event in Houston on June 18. A win by Plania, 27, catapults him to a title shot as he’s now rated No. 4 by the WBO, No. 5 by the IBF and No. 8 by the WBA in the 122-pound ranks. Aleem, 31, is the IBF No. 8, WBC No. 9 and WBO No. 10 contender. Plania’s record is 26-1, with 13 KOs and he’s won his last 11 outings.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden , Wed, 14 Jan 2026“No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Wed, 14 Jan 2026Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ , Wed, 14 Jan 2026Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif , Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW , Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot , Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22 By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3 By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION , Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Sat, 10 Jan 2026Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY , Sat, 10 Jan 2026ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 , Sat, 10 Jan 2026Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced , Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Fri, 09 Jan 2026Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9 , Fri, 09 Jan 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|