Philippines, 15 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Tiaga (3-0) Battles Hebi in Undercard of Inoue-Fulton


PhilBoxing.com




Promising Japanese Lightweight Taiga Imanaga 今永虎雅 (3-0, 3 KO's) will have the toughest war in his young boxing career this far when he collides hard against strong, more-experienced Indonesian warrior Hebi "Gladiator" Marapu (18-1-1, 13 KO's), on Tuesday, July 25, at the Ariake Sport Arena in Tokyo, Japan, live on ESPN+.

Have the handlers of Taiga made a mistake on this matching up?

Last year, the 23-year-old Tiaga - a slick newcomer southpaw and former amateur standout from Yokohama - successfully turned pro, punishing and stopping all his three opponents, getting the attention of boxing fans in Japan.

Those victims of Tiaga included unheralded Pinoy boxers John Ordonio (9-5-1, 5 KO's) of La Union Province and Roy Sumugat (15-13-1, 7 KO's) of Bacolod, who succumbed to the power of the rookie.

Copy that, but could Tiaga Imanaga do that same fast 'n furious thing to Hebi Marapu too?

That is the question: Could the young Tiaga Imanaga - trained at the famed Ohashi Gym - deliver the same kind of rough treatment to the far more-dangerous Hebi Marapu, the confident, well-trained "Gladiator" from Jakarta, Indonesia?

That is unknown if he can do it or not. In boxing anything could happen.

But what is known is that Tiaga might need to reach for all of his fighting skills while battling Hebi, an Indonesian fighter, known for his coming-forward combatant approach, a well-trained "Gladiator" owner of decent firepower, confidence and ring knowledge.

In fact, to some fans, Hebi seems superior as a fighter to all the opponents Tiaga has ever faced, being the Indonesian a more-complete, fearsome and accomplished fighter.

The numbers say it all: Tiaga has fought only 3 pro bouts. Hebi has battled 20 wars. Most of them victories, only one set back (a majority decision loss) and a draw, and a big number of wins by way of KO.

Therefore, fighting experience is surely on the Indonesian side. Although youth, speed and the advantage of fighting in his own country are on the Nippon fighter’s flank. What do you think?

Furthermore, the Indonesian Hebi has claimed wins behind enemy lines, in countries as far as Switzerland, but also in Thailand and Malaysia.

That could mean that fighting in the legendary "Land of the Rising Sun" might not be a problem at all, and no butterflies in the stomach for the 34-year-old Hebi Marapu.

What's more, Hebi is a committed, disciplined fighter, currently training with renown veteran Canadian-Thai coach David John Treharne.

To me, this is an interesting rumble that spices up the exciting July 25 show in Japan.

"Tiaga Imanaga vs Hebi Marapu" is one of the supporting bouts for the thrilling super bantam title clash between Naoya Inoue and American 122 world champio Stephen Fulton.

The event, set for July 25, is promoted by Hideyuki Ohashi, head of Ohashi Promotions.

An awesome show. May the Best Men Win! 👍👍


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Manny motors to Vegas
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Bakbakan sa Elorde on July 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Ringside, Still: Remembering Chino Trinidad
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 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.