WAKEE SALUD CLAIMS OFFER TO TAPALES FOR TITLE SHOT TOO LOW, WOULD PREFER GOING TO PURSE BID
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 17 Mar 2016
Well known boxing manager/promoter Rex ?Wakee? Salud claims the offer of the handlers of WBO bantamweight champion Pungluang Sor Singyu to mandatory challenger Marlon Tapales was ?too low? and he would prefer to go into a purse bid should the Thai promoter refuse to up the offer from $37,000 to at least $40,000.
Salud also told The Standard he would try to convince his longtime friend, eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao to bankroll the promotion should Salud win the purse bid and stage the title fight in the Philippines.
The 26 year old Pungluang Sor Singyu has a record of 52-3 with 35 knockouts and is coming off a 7th round technical decision victory over Filipino Jetro Pabustan in a one-sided title defense last February 12.
The promising 23 old Filipino Marlon Tapales earned the mandatory title shot with a spectacular 2nd round TKO victory over fancied unbeaten Japanese Shohei Omori in a WBO title eliminator at the Shimazu Arena in Kyoto, Japan on December 16, 2015 when referee Lou Moret called a halt at 1:35 of round two.
WBO fight supervisor and chairman of the Asia-Pacific region Leon Panoncillo told The Standard after Tapales had annihilated the very popular Omori that ?he felt the Japanese was overconfident and thought that Tapales was an average fighter when he is actually a very good fighter.?
Panoncillo described the title eliminator as ?a really good fight with Tapales putting on a very impressive performance? and is certain to give Pungluang Sor Singyu a great fight.?
He said referee Lou Moret stopped the bout at 1:35 of round two ?after Omori went down hard and was wobbling all over the ring? after being sent to the canvas three times in the opening round beginning with an overhand left followed by a couple of deadly right hands that silenced the fans who came to support the hometown boy.
Former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa who was in the corner of Tapales and helped out former boxer turned trainer Fernando Ocon who was making his debut as a trainer a successful one, provided a classic insight telling Tapales to throw a right hook which he did and sent the favored Japanese crashing to the canvas.
A small Filipino contingent led by manager ?Wakee? Salud, Penalosa and his wife Goody were jumping for joy as referee Moret stopped the one-sided bout and proclaimed Tapales the winner. In a battle of southpaws Tapales demonstrated his class and earned praise from the Japanese fans for his outstanding performance.
The 23 year old southpaw has a record of 28-2 with 11 knockouts dropped a somewhat questionable majority decision to Mexico?s David Sanchez on February 23, 2013 but since that loss racked up seven straight wins.
Pungluang Sor Singyu first won the vacant WBO title with a 9th round TKO over AJ ?Bazooka? Banal at the Mall of Asia Arena on October 20, 2012 before losing by a 7th round knockout to Japan?s Tomoki Kameda at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on July 12, 2014.
He regained the vacant WBO belt with a stunning 2nd round TKO victory over Japan?s Ryo Akaho at the Central Stadium in Ratchaburi, Thailand on August 7, 2015 when referee Robert Byrd stopped the bout as Akaho was taking a bad beating.
Photo: Salud (L) and Tapales.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ABAP feels WB’s growing pains
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Laurente is new Philippine super featherweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
Tue, 09 Sep 2025GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 09 Sep 2025“The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Locked & loaded for Lewis Crocker rematch, Paddy Donovan has prepared to be crowned the new IBF Welterweight World Champion
Mon, 08 Sep 2025Robby Gonzales Advances to Round of 16 with Win Over Cuba
Mon, 08 Sep 2025James Padua rules Marikina rapid chess championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Sep 2025