For winning two world title belts, Filipino southpaw super-bantamweight Marlon Tapales was cited by the
Panama-based World Boxing Association.
In its latest ratings, the WBA picked Tapales as honorable mention for upsetting Murodjon Akhmadaliev on a 12-round split decision last 8 April at the Boeing Arena at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas.
Not only did Tapales snatch the WBA belt but also grabbed the International Boxing Federation crown in the process, making him a two-belt champion.
Light-flyweight Kenshiro Teraji, also a two-belt titlist, was voted as Boxer of the Month.
Since his win over Akhmadaliev was a mandatory defense by the Uzbekistan lefty, Tapales is not required to make a choice defense anytime soon.
In fact, Tapales won’t be seeing action until November as he is awaiting the winner of the 25 July showdown between Naoya Inoue and World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization ruler Stelhen Fulton at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
That fight would be for the undisputed 122-lb championship since all four titles will be on the line.
Currently, Tapales is one of just two Filipino world boxing champions.
The other is WBO minimumweight boss Melvin Jerusalem, who will be making a mandatory defense versus undefeated Puerto Rican challenger Oscar Collazo on 27 May in Los Angeles.
