Philippines, 16 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


TAPALES FIGHTS IN JAPAN, RECEIVES AWARD FOR WBO REGIONAL WIN AT CEBU SPORTS AWARDS


PhilBoxing.com




World ranked bantamweight Marlon Tapales will see action at the Sangyo Hall, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan on April 13 against Hayato Kimura. Tapales (24W-2L, 9KO?s) won the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title last August 1, 2013 against another Filipino, Fredirex Rodriguez by unanimous decision at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. This fight was on the undercard of Tomoki Kameda?s WBO world bantamweight title win against Paulus Ambunda.

Tapales was one of the 12 boxers honored Wednesday during the 32nd staging of the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC)- San Miguel Beer (SMB) awards. He received a citation for his WBO regional title win.

RWS gym trainer Juanito Ablaca accepted the award on his behalf. He told this writer that Tapales was having sparring sessions in the afternoon, most of the time visiting the ALA gym for quality sparring partners.

Ablaca was also very upset as to why Tapales was not given an award during the 14th Elorde Awards night last March 25.
?I was surprised that Rodriguez, who lost to Tapales in August of last year, is still the WBO Asia Pacific champion in the GAB website.? Ablaca told philboxing before the start of the Cebu Sports Awards ceremony at the Ayala Center.

?Why didn?t update their records? The fight happened last year.? Ablaca said,? That fight was on the undercard of a world title fight and even covered by GMA TV.

57 boxers received awards during the Elorde rites which included current world, international and regional champions and former champions.

A check on the Games and Amusements Board website did show that their February 2014 rankings still has Fredirex Rodriguez listed as WBO Asia-Pacific titlist with Tapales ranked number two bantamweight contender in the country. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) rankings for March 2014 clearly shows Tapales as the WBO Asia Pacific champion and he is the number nine ranked challenger to Tomoki Kameda.

Tapales' opponent this April, Kimura (21-5, 15KO's), fought in Bohol under the name Big Yoo and lost to AJ Banal by 5th round KO back in 2010.

Photo: Tapales (R) in action against Rodriguez.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • “The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
    , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 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.