Philippines, 17 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


TAPALES IS A MAN ON A MISSION


PhilBoxing.com




CEBU ? WBO No. 2 ranked bantamweight Marlon Tapales of Tubod, Lanao del Norte is working doubly hard as he approach the final three weeks of his training in preparation for his eliminator fight versus No. 1 ranked Shohei Omori of Japan on Dec. 16 for the right to face WBO bantamweight world champion Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand.

?He is very serious with his training. He really wants to win this fight badly,? Tapales's Filipino boxing manager Rex 'Wakee' Salud told Philboxing as Tapales winds down his daily regimen Wednesday at Salud's gym in Punta Princesa.

With a world championship fight within reach, Tapales is highly motivated to face Omori at the Japanese's own backyard at the Shimazu Arena in Kyoto. ?Kaya natin 'to,? a highly confident Tapales said.

Although not looking past his Japanese opponent, Tapales's eyes glistened when he heard the name of the champion Pungluang Sor Singyu. ?I want that fight,? Tapales said. ?It will be a real rumble because I know Pungluang will never back out.?

Omori, a southpaw, is by no means a walk in the park for Tapales. The Japanese is undefeated in 15 fights with 10 knockouts, 7 of the stoppages he inflicted on his last 8 opponents. Additionally Omori stands at 5'8?, 4 inches taller than the Filipino.

But the height advantage of the Japanese does not concern Tapales. ?He's been sparring regularly with [WBC and Ring bantamweight champion Shinsuke] Yamanaka who is about the same height as Omori,? Salud said. ?And Tapales looks good in his sparring against Yamanaka,? Salud added.

Tapales (27-2-0, 10KO) last lost to Mexican David Sanchez by majority decision at Sanchez's hometown in Hermosillo on Feb. 23, 2013 for the interim WBC Silver super flyweight title but after that Tapales racked up six straight wins the last one was a two-round stoppage of Jecker Buhawi in Davao City on Jan. 31, 2015.

Tapales, who is currently being trained by former boxer Fernando Ocon, has already logged more than 60 rounds of sparring against his three southpaw sparring partners that includes lightweight Anthony Sabalde (10-4-0, 5KO) and featherweight Jason Redondo (11-3-1, 7KO). Tapales expects to log 40 more rounds of sparring before his team leaves for Japan on Dec. 13.

Photo: Filipino contender Marlon Tapales (R) poses with his manager Rex 'Wakee' Salud at Salud's Gym in Punta Princesa, Cebu City Wednesday.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Connor Benn Targets Barrios' WBC Welter Belt After Defeating Chris Eubank Jnr
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • NBA Daily: Sans Wembanyama, Spurs Dominate Kings 123 – 110
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio finishes second in Spain chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • A Tall Order: Rafael Espinoza KOs Arnold Khegai to Retain Featherweight Crown
    , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2: Will Eubank Step on the Gas Pedal Earlier?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Russ Westbrook set record setting 10,000 assists
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio draws Becker to maintain second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • 4th Gov. Ruel Pacquiao Motocross Competition
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Rafael Espinoza vs. Arnold Khegai
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Soledad fights Thai for WBC Asia Continental Welter title on Nov. 29
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Former Champ Joseph Parker fails drug test on WBO championship fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • R&B PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO HARD ROCK LIVE AT ETESS ARENA FOR FIGHT NIGHT 4 ON NOVEMBER 22, 2025
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM ALL STAR BOXING SHOW IN MANAGUA
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Tapales wins by a unanimous decision
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Porres III to fight Narukami for vacant IBF Youth flyweight title tomorrow
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Featherweight King Rafael Espinoza Readies for Mexican Homecoming
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS HOSTS “BABY SHOWER” TO BENEFIT MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS IN HONOR OF PAPA-TO-BE JIMUEL PACQUIAO’S PRO DEBUT
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • DANGEROUS SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS FRANCISCO VERON AND ROIMAN VILLA COLLIDE IN “DO OR DIE” MAIN EVENT ON PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Jeter Promotions Kacie Wheeler Back in Action on November 22
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats German FIDE Master for stay in second place in Spain Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.