TAPALES WINS USING A 7-YEAR OLD MOUTHGUARD
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 18 Feb 2019
Properly designed, fabricated and fitted mouthguards don?t necessary guarantee a win in boxing. They do not assure that the boxer wearing them will not get knockout either.
But a proper mouthguard can buffer damage to the teeth, from blows and physical contact. These mouthguards can also act as a barrier between teeth and the cheeks, and between the lips and tongue, thereby limiting the risk of soft tissue damage.
They also allow proper breathing due to their high degree of comfort and fit. More importantly, they stay firmly in place and would not come off during the heat of combat. Further, athletes love using them because they are resilient, tear-resistant, odorless and tasteless.
Case in Point: Marlon ?The NIghtMare? Tapales.
When we made a mouthguard for Marlon Tapales in his bout versus Alejandro Solorio of Mexico that was held at the Mandalay Bay in May of 2011 at Las Vegas, we cautioned him as we do everybody else, to ?take good care of his mouthguard?.
Apparently, Tapales took our advice to the hilt. He took great care of his precious mouthgurd all through the rest of his career from 2011 to date, a career that involved many fights including three world title fights in a little over 7 years.
Last Saturday night as he relaxed at the makeshift dugout at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles waiting for his fight versus Fernando Vargas Parra, we visited him to wish him good luck and ask what mouthguard he will be using. We know that his training schedule was too tight and his trainer did not have time to take him to our offices for a new mouthguard. That is why we were a bit concerned.
Much to our surprise, he said that his mouthguard is ?ok pa po? (It's still ok) and it was the same mouthguard we made him over 7 years ago.
I was truly amazed when he said that. He apparently took good care of it. We are fully aware that our mouthguards can last for a while, but 7 years plus?
That is insane!
Well, Tapales, after waiting for almost six hours for his fight to happen, (His fight was the last in the 18-fight card scheduled by PBC and it started almost midnight) made the most of it. He took care of Vargas Parra in less than half of the scheduled 10 rounder and won via knockout.
Did his old mouthguard contributed directly to the win?
I should hope so, but one thing we were sure of is it played a part, albeit small part in his victory. At the very least we know he felt confident that he had proper intra-oral protection so that is one thing less to worry as he faced Vargas Parra at ring center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Second Rise of Jesse Espinas
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
Fri, 04 Jul 2025International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Fri, 04 Jul 2025Fireworks Ahead: Magsayo vs Mata in Prelims of Pacquiao vs Barrios
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 03 Jul 2025No issues with fight ref
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Thu, 03 Jul 20253 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 03 Jul 2025ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
Wed, 02 Jul 2025TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
Wed, 02 Jul 2025