OSAKA, Kansai -- WBO world bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales of the Philippines, accompanied by his manager Rex Wakee Salud and his trainers Fernando Ocon and Brix Flores together with a throng of Filipino supporters, arrived here Monday afternoon greeted with Kansai's pleasant cool weather ahead of his title defense against local boy Shohei Omori scheduled on Saturday at the Edion Arena here.
On hand to meet Team Tapales in Osaka, known for its fun loving people and host to Japan's tallest building and oldest temple, were matchmaker/journalist Joe Koizumi and his assistant Kochi Yoshikawa and representatives from the local media.
Tapales, who endured more than two months of grueling training taking no chances against his determined foe, has been working on to make weight and still 9 lbs over the 118 lbs bantamweight limit but will have a light activity during the week.
On Wednesday at 1pm Tapales, Taapales has been scheduled to do a public workout at the Green Tsoda Gym where the local media scribes are expected check his condition.
On Friday, Tapales will take his medical exam at the Tane Hospital.
On Saturday, April 22, the weighin and press conference will be held at Hotel Monterey Grasmere located in central Osaka and on Sunday, April 23, the fight will commence at the 8,000 capacity Edion Arena.
WBO world bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales (C) pose with his team and supporters upon arrival at Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. Photo by Dong Secuya.
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