Om Noi, Thailand ? Filipino mandatory challenger Marlon Tapales screamed with joy the moment he got cleared to fight defending champion Pungluang Sor Singyu during the official weigh in Tuesday afternoon at the Vichaivej International Hospital.
Moments before he took to the scales, Tapales had been worried sick that he would fail to make 118 lbs after taking several trips in the hours and minutes leading to boxing?s most important pre-fight ritual.
So anxious and tense the moment was that Tapales even had to remove his underwear to make sure that he makes the weight for today?s encounter at the Ayutthaya City Park.
But after being declared fit and ready for tipping in at 117.8 lbs, Tapales was finally relieved and it showed when he took his first heavy meal in the last few days.
Surrounded by members of his team, Tapales told a scribe there?s just one more thing to take care of, that is, to wrest the title from the favored Sor Singyu.
?Suntukan na!? said Tapales as he consumed the food that was put in front of him by trainer Fernando Ocon as manager Wakee Salud and training assistant Brix Flores attended the rules meeting just a few steps away.
Sor Singyu also had problems making weight as he likewise took a few trips to the scales before the actual weigh in.
Sor Singyu, who has beaten 20 Filipinos, many of whom sacrificial lambs, also came in at 117.8 lbs.
But Tapales is upbeat that he can break the jinx by scoring a knockout and join an elite cast of Filipino fighters.
Presently, there are three Filipino world champions: Nonito Donaire, Johnreil Casimero, and Donnie Nietes.
Just before the sun goes down today in Ayutthaya, a Unesco World Heritage Site known for its mesmerizing temples, Tapales is positive that he will join that select few.
Wakee Salud, the maker of world champions, is confident of returning to Manila with Tapales holding Sor Singyu?s head to present to the Filipino fight fans.
?Marlon has that talent of throwing punches and landing them without the opponent seeing them before it?s too late,? said Salud, former manager of Dodie Boy and Gerry Pe?alosa and Malcolm Tunacao.
Team Tapales will travel to Ayutthaya from their base in Bangkok right after breakfast Wednesday so they can rest and relax.
