Purse bid for Pinoy fighter

It’s been over a year since the IBF ordered superbantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev to defend his crown against mandatory Filipino challenger Marlon Tapales and after a long wait, the title fight will finally take place no later than March 11 next year. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said yesterday a purse bid will be conducted at the IBF office in New Jersey tomorrow to settle the promotional rights for the bout.

Negotiations to stage the fight were postponed thrice and the last delay was caused by an injury that Akhmadaliev sustained in training. But Gibbons said with IBF’s new order, there’s no way out for the Uzbek. Tapales, a former WBO bantamweight titlist, is IBF’s No. 1 contender in the 122-pound division and has won 15 of his last 16 outings since 2013. Akhmadaliev, 28, is a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist with a record of 11-0, including 8 KOs. He turned pro in 2018, 10 years after Tapales made his debut. Tapales, 30, has a record of 36-3, with 19 KOs.

In a letter dated last Dec. 7, IBF president Daryl Peoples instructed promoters to submit their purse bids by 11:45 am. Bids will be opened at 12 noon. To qualify, a promoter must pay a $5,000 participation fee and 10 percent of the total amount of the bid. Within five business days, the winning promoter must pay another 10 percent of the bid.

Tapales cemented his position as mandatory challenger by disposing of Mexico’s Jose Estrella in two rounds in Carson City last May. After the win, he went home to Lanao del Norte to get married to long-time girlfriend Jayvee Sheen Roda then last September, returned to Los Angeles to resume training with coaches Ernel Fontanilla and Ting (Sugar) Ariosa. Tapales’ manager JC Manangquil said he’s confident of victory. “Marlon will score a knockout,” said Manangquil. “He’s in the best shape of his life and he has matured.” Tapales’ last 10 wins were by knockout and he’s armed to make Akhmadaliev his next victim.

Photo: Marlon Tapales (left) with coaches Ernel Fontanilla and Ting Ariosa.