Tapales.
CEBU ? The WBO world bantamweight title fight between defending champion Marlon Tapales of the Philippines and challenger Takuma Inoue of Japan scheduled on Dec. 30 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, has been canceled, Tapales's manager Rex 'Wakee' Salud has informed Philboxing.
?The Japanese promoter was not able to get a TV sponsor for the fight,? Salud said. ?They (Japanese TV) think it's a mismatch.?
Takuma, 20, the younger brother of WBO super flyweight champion Naoya Inoue, is undefeated but has only 8 fights as a pro with 2 wins inside the distance. He is rated No. 7 by the WBO in the bantamweight division. His last fight was against Filipino contender Froilan Saludar last Sep. 4 in Kanagawa, Japan which he won by unanimous decision. His credentials however, failed to impress the TV sponsors.
Tapales (29-2-0, 12KOs) won the WBO world bantamweight title from Punluang Sor Singyo of Thailand last July 27 in Ayutthaya, Thailand and is in the middle of intense preparation for the Dec. 30 fight at Salud's gym here. He has been sparring regularly with stablemate Neil John Tabanao.
?The Japanese promoter wants to postpone the fight but I don't want Marlon's preparation to go to waste,? said Salud who confided that he has several pending offers for Tapales including against one of promoter Al Haymon's boxers, one in Ireland and one in South Africa.
?Next week, I should know who will be Marlon's next opponent, where and when,? Salud said.
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