LOS ANGELES — Given that Marlon Tapales was up against the house fighter, I felt that the decision would favor Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev on Saturday night in their title clash in San Antonio, Texas.
You see, Akhmadaliev was the defending World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight champion and the clear betting favorite.
Making the fourth defense of these titles, he imposed his will in the second part of the 12-rounder and appeared on his way to repulsing the Filipino’s challenge.
You could see in the body language that MJ — the champ’s nickname — was confident he would get the nod of the three judges.
Actually, MJ did make an impression.
Problem was that he could only convince one judge while Tapales did impress two, handing the underdog the split decision and MJ’s two straps.
I was surprised by the verdict but was quick to realize that the judges had a closer look at the action.
The win truly meant a lot to Team Tapales, whose members are a merry mix of fine guys and pros and even a court jester who makes everyone’s day complete with his antics.
I must admit that this would rank among those that I have covered at ringside.
Though it won’t be as fancied as Manny Pacquiao’s greatest hits, it would still be up there.
You know, Tapales is truly special to me.
We go back to the days when he was still revving up for the world title several years ago.
The first time he fought for the world title in Ayutthaya, Thailand, I sat at ringside and saw him pick himself from the floor a couple of times en route to a dramatic knockout win in the eleventh stanza.
I was there, too, in Osaka when he got stripped of the crown for failing to make weight.
Already crownless, Tapales didn’t allow his Japanese rival to be crowned as new champion by scoring an 11th-round stoppage.
So, when he secured a shot at MJ, I found myself taking that long trip from Manila last week via Philippine Airlines with a refueling stop in Seoul-Incheon.
From Los Angeles, I waited almost seven hours for the Delta flight to San Antonio.
Tapales knew we were together during the Thailand and Japan trips and that something had to be done to ensure that I would be present when he battles MJ.
Now, Tapales and myself are 3-0 when joining forces.
I hate to say it but I would feel heartbroken if that winning streak gets snapped.
