TAPALES STRIPPED OF TITLE AFTER FAILING TO MAKE WEIGHT ON SECOND TRY

OSAKA, Japan -- Marlon 'The Nightmare' Tapales of the Philippines has been stripped of his title after he failed to make the contracted 118 lbs weight on his second try during the official weighin held at Hotel Monterey here Saturday afternoon ahead of his title defense against Shohei Omori of Japan scheduled Sunday at the Edion Arena here.

Tapales, who weighed in at 54.3 kilos (119.75 lbs) during the first try, came back 1 hour and 45 minutes later to the weighing scale but this time he weighed in even heavier at 54.4 lbs (119.93 lbs).

WBO supervisor Rolando Marcos Hermosa of Panama then read the WBO championship rules in front of Tapales, his manager Rex 'Wakee' Salud and matchmaker Joe Koizumi who also acted as the interpreter stripping Tapales of his title.

The fight will push thru Sunday but should Tapales wins over Omori, the title will be left vacant. Should Omori win, he will become the new WBO world bantamweight champion.

According to former world champion Gerry Penalosa, who was in Tapales team, both boxers will wear same 8-ounce gloves.

WBO supervisor Rolando Marcos Hermosa reads the WBO championship rules to Tapales's manager Rex 'Wakee' Salud stripping Tapales of his title.

Tapales looks forlorn after failing to make weight.