TAPALES: ?I'M MOVING UP IN WEIGHT? (PHOTOS)
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 24 Apr 2017
OSAKA, Japan ? ?Dili na gyud madala. Saka na gyud ta.? (Can't make it anymore. We'll have to move up.)
This was Tapales's verdict after his dramatic 11th round technical knockout victory over Japanese contender Shohei Omori Saturday night at the Edion Arena here. Tapales, who was supposed to defend his WBO world bantamweight title for the first time against Omori, was instead stripped of his belt after failing to make weight last Saturday and will go back home today empty handed although having the consolation of at least not going down in defeat against his determined rival.
?I was already waking at 147 lbs before I started training for this fight so I had to lose 30 lbs coming here,? said Tapales who arrived here Monday still 10 lbs overweight. ?My body has really grown up big.?
Tapales also had a hard time making weight during his title bout against Pungluang Sor Singyu last July in Thailand. Tapales's title has now been reportedly awarded to Zolani Tete of South Africa after Tete defeated Filipino number one contender Arthur Villanueva Saturday night in the UK.
Tapales, who has been deducted 10% of his purse for failing to make weight, was totally dehydrated Saturday and did not completely recover when he climbed the ring Sunday night.
?I felt too heavy. I saw my punches traveled a long time to hit its target,? said the Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte native who was seen swinging his arms in circular motion several times during the contest. ?But I just had to let my hands go. Luckily I tagged him with my left uppercut.?
No belt but Tapales gets a trophy for his win.
Tapales being interviewed by the Japanese media after his win over Omori.
Tapales comes at Omori before the Japanese crashes to the canvas.
Omori hits the canvas.
Referee Celestino Ruiz prevents Omori from taking further punishment by stopping the contest in the 11th round.
Champions All (L-R): Rex Salud, Tapales, Gerry Penalosa and Malcolm Tunacao. Penalosa and Tunacao were also previously managed by Salud when they became world champions.
Tapales's manager Rex 'Wakee' Salud is now looking to position Tapales against the champions of the super bantamweight division.
?We'd like to fight [Cesar] Juarez. Marlon likes that fight. But Juarez is now the mandatory challenger to [WBO super banatamweight champion Jessie] Magdaleno. We'll see if we can fight the winner of that fight,? said Salud. ?I would also like Marlon to fight [WBA world champion Guillermo] Rigondeaux or the WBC champion [Rey Vargas].?
Tapales however has not been rated in the top 15 in the bantamweight or the super bantamweight divisions by the world boxing bodies except by the WBO so it would probably take some time for him to challenge the other world champions.
Tapales and his entourage will fly back to Cebu from Osaka this afternoon via Philippine Airlines.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Keyshawn Davis Fight Canceled After Weight Miss, Mason-Nakathila Elevated to Main Event
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 07 Jun 2025Eumir Marcial Set to Battle Alexis Gaytán in Pacquiao's Comeback Show
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 07 Jun 2025SUNDAY: Fabio Turchi-Milans Volkovs Cruiserweight Showdown Headlines Italy Fight Card LIVE in the U.S. on ESPN+
Sat, 07 Jun 2025Bomogao KOs Rubio in 1st round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 07 Jun 2025REYES CUP SET FOR ELECTRIFYING RETURN TO MANILA, OCTOBER 16–19
Sat, 07 Jun 2025King's Promotions June 19th Card at Wind Creek Event Center is Postponed Card Rescheduled for September 5th
Sat, 07 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 7 - AMATEUR BOXING CAREER OF MUHAMMAD ALI
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 06 Jun 2025Indiana, Haliburton Do It Again, Pacers Shock OKC on the Road, 111-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 06 Jun 2025STAR BOXING PRESENTS SPECIAL PRESS CONFERENCE-MONDAY
Fri, 06 Jun 2025Undefeated Super Bantamweight Chavez Barrientes Returns June 7th Against Sharone Carter on Most Valuable Prospects 13 Card
Fri, 06 Jun 2025Vasiliy Lomachenko Announces Retirement: A Glorious Chapter Closes in Boxing History
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 06 Jun 2025“HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES
Fri, 06 Jun 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Returns Home for Inaugural World Title Defense at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
Fri, 06 Jun 2025DAZN PRESENTS NEW NO DAYS OFF EPISODE HIGHLIGHTING REIGNING UNIFIED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION FRANCHÓN CREWS-DEZURN
Fri, 06 Jun 2025ANTONIO VARGAS PENS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM AND BOXLAB
Fri, 06 Jun 2025