Philippines, 31 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Tapales thrives in adversity, targets the 'best of the best'


PhilBoxing.com




Saying that he would not back down from any challenge, newly crowned WBO bantamweight champion Marlon "The Nightmare' Tapales of Cebu's RWS Stable said he wants to fight the best of the best in his division where he plans to reign for a longer period of time.

"I want to fight the best out there. I don't care whoever my opponent will be and wherever the fight will be held," said Tapales in vernacular during an interview with sportswriters over dinner the other day at the RWS Gym he fondly calls his home. "It all depends on my manager (Wakee Salud) but I will face whoever is pitted against me."

The 24-year-old Tapales became the newest toast of Philippine boxing after he courageously recovered from two knockdowns in the fifth round on the way to stop two-time world champion Pungluang Sor Singyu in the 11th round and wrest the WBO 115-pound title last Wednesday at the historic ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya, some two-hour drive from Bangkok.

That made Tapales (29-2, 12KOs) the fourth reigning Filipino world champion after Donnie "Ahas" Nietes (WBO light flyweight), Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr. (WBO bantamweight) and Johnreil "Quadro Alas" Casimero (IBF flyweight).

When asked on what came to his mind after being decked by Sor Singyu, Tapales said "I just told myself to get up, think positive and never surrender."

Tapales said he was really hurt by Sor Singyu's solid body shot during the first time he went down the canvas. "When I fell for the second time, it was a bit intentional on my part because I want a little time to rest and refresh my self," narrated the fighting pride of Marnding, Lanao del Norte.

The scary moments Tapales went through also brought much tension to his corner manned by Fernando Ocon and Brix Flores. But they did not relent under pressure.

"I told Tapales to fight on and never give up. We've been training hard for nearly four months and we don't want to waste it away just like that. Also, I kept on telling him that this oppounity comes only once and we should make the most out of it," said Ocon.

Watching at the ringside, his mother Maria felt like she was struck by a lighting bolt upon seeing his son going down the canvas.

"I felt very scared at the moment because it was the first time I see him going down the canvas," said Maria. "But I put all my trust to his trainers because they're the ones who know everything. Upon seeing that he's already okay, I just kept on cheering him up to the top of my lungs."

Egged on by the cheers of his mother and the inspiring words from his corner, a recharged Tapales came out firing in the six frame and relentlessly attacked Sor Singyu in the succeeding rounds.

"I knew I had him when I rocked him with a solid left hook towards the end of the 10th round. Had there been a little time left, I would have finished him off," said Tapales.

Smelling blood, Tapales went for the kill with a telling left-right combination that sent Sor Singyu sprawling the on the mat for good with 30 seconds into the penultimate round.

"I learned a lot from that fight. First and foremost is to always think positive. When things seems hard, don't ever give up," said Tapales.

Cunfucius the great once said that "our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

Tapales is just happy to breathe life to that proverbial maxim that is applicable to everyday living.

"Hopefully I will be champion for a longer period of time. That is one goal I have set for myself," said Tapales.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel B. Villaruel.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 5 - ALI VS. FOREMAN IN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Raquinel and Zulueta Crowned ABF Champions in Bacolod City Homecoming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • GMs Quizon, Antonio, Laylo Vying in 4th Edition Eduardo B. Basilonia Invitational Open Rapid Chess Tilt in Roxas City, Capiz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • New York Stays Alive, Foils Indiana, 111-94
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • PLANT VS. RESENDIZ & CHARLO VS. LAMANNA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Álvarez vs. Crawford: "Champions of Champions"
    By Gary Todd, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM LAS VEGAS: MELIKUZIEV - 166.8 LBS., FULGHUM - 167.6 LBS.
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Former Champion Jaime Munguía Notified of Possible Failed Drug Test
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS AND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR MANUEL GALLEGOS VS. KHALIL COE REMATCH IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Championship Summer: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas to Battle Mexico’s Jorge Garcia for WBO Jr. Middleweight Crown July 26 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • José Sulaimán Honored as New Gym Inaugurated in México State
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Approval of 17 new applications sees membership of World Boxing surpass100 National Federations
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • SBA Scouting Tour Kicks Off in Cagayan de Oro
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Sampson Boxing Signs Openly Gay South American Boxer Oscar Bonifacino to Promotional Contract
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • OK-C you in the Finals Soon, Indy or NY; Thunder Oust Minnesota in Five, 124-94
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Remembering Don José Sulaimàn
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Manalo’s son Dylan secures victory
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Manny’s induction to proceed
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Hall of Fame Boxing Promoter Don King Wins $1.1 Million Purse Bid To Promote WBA Regular Heavyweight World Champion Kubrat Pulev Facing No. 2 Contender Michael Hunter On August 23
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Super middleweight division to open up, Darius Fulghum plans to make his move
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Boxing News Roundup: Tragedy, Comebacks, and Controversies Rock the Ring
    , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • Indiana Pushes New York on the Edge, Wins Game Four, 130-121 for 3-1 Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • Former Japanese World Champion Ginjiro Shigeoka Retires After Brain Surgery
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • Certeza Leads Antipolo Speedcubing Winners
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • CATTERALL VS. EUBANK + UNDERCARD LAUNCH PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Wed, 28 May 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.