Purse bid for Pinoy fighter
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 19 Dec 2022
It’s been over a year since the IBF ordered superbantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev to defend his crown against mandatory Filipino challenger Marlon Tapales and after a long wait, the title fight will finally take place no later than March 11 next year. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said yesterday a purse bid will be conducted at the IBF office in New Jersey tomorrow to settle the promotional rights for the bout.
Negotiations to stage the fight were postponed thrice and the last delay was caused by an injury that Akhmadaliev sustained in training. But Gibbons said with IBF’s new order, there’s no way out for the Uzbek. Tapales, a former WBO bantamweight titlist, is IBF’s No. 1 contender in the 122-pound division and has won 15 of his last 16 outings since 2013. Akhmadaliev, 28, is a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist with a record of 11-0, including 8 KOs. He turned pro in 2018, 10 years after Tapales made his debut. Tapales, 30, has a record of 36-3, with 19 KOs.
In a letter dated last Dec. 7, IBF president Daryl Peoples instructed promoters to submit their purse bids by 11:45 am. Bids will be opened at 12 noon. To qualify, a promoter must pay a $5,000 participation fee and 10 percent of the total amount of the bid. Within five business days, the winning promoter must pay another 10 percent of the bid.
Tapales cemented his position as mandatory challenger by disposing of Mexico’s Jose Estrella in two rounds in Carson City last May. After the win, he went home to Lanao del Norte to get married to long-time girlfriend Jayvee Sheen Roda then last September, returned to Los Angeles to resume training with coaches Ernel Fontanilla and Ting (Sugar) Ariosa. Tapales’ manager JC Manangquil said he’s confident of victory. “Marlon will score a knockout,” said Manangquil. “He’s in the best shape of his life and he has matured.” Tapales’ last 10 wins were by knockout and he’s armed to make Akhmadaliev his next victim.
Photo: Marlon Tapales (left) with coaches Ernel Fontanilla and Ting Ariosa.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
Thu, 22 Jan 2026KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
Wed, 21 Jan 2026Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 21 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 21 Jan 2026Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 21 Jan 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 20 Jan 2026Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 20 Jan 2026“Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 20 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
By Eric Armit, Mon, 19 Jan 2026Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Mon, 19 Jan 2026RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 17 Jan 2026