Do-or-die for Tapales
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 09 Apr 2023
The chance of a lifetime has come for Marlon Tapales and it’s a dream he’s worked hard to come true. Two belts will be on the line when Tapales challenges defending super WBA and IBF superbantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan in a 12-round battle of southpaws in the Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio, Texas, this morning (Manila time). For the Tubod, Lanao del Norte, fighter, losing isn’t an option and his mindset is do-or-die.
“We’re ready,” said Tapales. “(Murodjon’s) a good boxer, he’s very talented but we’ve prepared well for it with good sparring.” Murodjon said “I’m fully concentrated on this fight (and) I want to show a great fight with a great opponent.” Like Tapales, the Uzbek isn’t backing down from a war. “I’ll stand my ground until my last breath,” he said, quoted by Phil Rogers in Boxing News. “I’m going to defend whatever belongs to me with all my weapons, with all my strength, all my power, all my will.”
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said the die is cast and Tapales’ fate is solely in his hands. “We’ve given Marlon everything that you need to win,” said Gibbons. “He’s had an unbelievable camp, best sparring we’ve had come in, food, preparation, rest, a long camp. If he can’t win it, it’s because he can’t win it.” SanMan’s JC Manangquil, who manages Tapales, said he expects to win. “I’m very confident,” he said. “Marlon will win by decision or KO. His trainers (Ernel Fontanilla and Ting Ariosa) have a gameplan and we’ll see it in the ring.” Manangquil, Fontanilla, Ariosa and Brendan Gibbons will be in Tapales’ corner.
Ariosa, a former Philippine Olympic boxing coach, said Tapales is in “great shape” and well-prepared for whatever Murdojon brings to the table. “Marlon sparred with several left-handed boxers including Jerwin (Ancajas), Jade (Bornea) and Aaron Alameda,” he said. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of our head coach and main trainer Ernel, Marlon has mastered even more the proper delivery of punches. I believe Murodjon can only be beaten by hurting him so much to make his footwork and handspeed disappear.” Ariosa said strength and conditioning coach Larry Wade has put Tapales in a position where he can dominate Murodjon physically.
Referee is Puerto Rican Rafael Ramos who worked Murodjon’s defense against Ronny Rios last June. Ramos has been the referee in several fights involving Filipinos, including Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Ancajas, Rey Loreto and Arthur Villanueva. Judges are Jose Roberto Torres of Puerto Rico, Javier Alvarez of Texas and Sergio Caiz of California. Levi Martinez is the championship bout supervisor.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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