Philippines, 03 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


TAPALES CALLS OUT BATAWANG!


PhilBoxing.com


After a scintillating performance last April 9 in winning the Philippine light-flyweight crown, newly-minted RP 108-lb kingpin Marlon Tapales of Black Scorpion Boxing Stable plans on stepping up his game against grizzled and battle-tested opponents to avoid getting rusty and settling for low-level opposition.

"We want to keep him active. He is our best prospect right now, and we don't want to spoil his development by giving him easy fights," said Tapales' manager Lemuel "Bobong" Yap, who runs the Lanao del Norte-based boxing gym where the 17-year-old fighter trains.

Working with Yap in managing Tapales' career is Cebu-based boxing promoter Rex "Wakee" Salud, who was at ringside when Tapales disposed of previously unbeaten Warlito Parrenas inside seven rounds at the world-class Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao Del Norte.

"We want to promote a Tapales fight against Bert Batawang next. This is the kind of fight he should get. We need quality opponent like Batawang," said Salud, who described Tapales' conquest over Parrenas as a "work of art."

To prepare for the Parrenas bout, Tapales trained for several weeks at Salud's RWS Boxing Gym, the same gym used by superstar Manny Pacquiao in preparing for the rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera.

Next week, Yap and Salud are slated to confer in Cebu regarding plans for Tapales' next career move, which includes a possible faceoff with Batawang, who recently figured in a scheduled 12-round IBF eliminator with ex-world champ Ulises Solis in Mexico.

The event last Friday at the Mindanao Civic Center, dubbed "The Lanao Power Punch," attracted a good crowd of some 3,000 spectators to came to witness the Kapatagan native dish out his best performance ever with a dominant win over Parrenas.

Born on March 23, 1993, the young Tapales started fighting as an amateur at age nine under Yap's guidance, and has had more than fifty fights before turning pro.

The son of Emilio Manlangit Tapales and Maria Baring Tanan did not dream much in his childhood, but said he only wanted to at least provide electricity to the house of his parents, which stands in the middle of rice paddies in the rice-producing town of Kapatagan, Lanao Del Norte.

"By winning that bout over Parrenas that night, he certainly lighted up all our dreams and aspirations in Lanao," said Yap's man Friday Boy Sanchez after the fight.

Last Friday's event was presented by the provincial government of Lanao del Norte headed by Gov. Khalid Dimaporo, Gran Matador Brandy, and the LGU of Kapatagan headed by Mayor Benjie Baguio.





Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.