TAPALES DEFEATS AKHMADALIEV BY SPLIT DECISION, CAPTURES WBA-IBF BANTAM BELTS (PHOTOS)
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 09 Apr 2023
Marlon Tapales is back at the top of the world when he upset unified champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekestan to win the WBA-IBF super bantamweight belts by split decision at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) promoted by Matchroom Sports and broadcast live on DAZN.
Judges scorecards: Javier Alvarez had it 118-110 for Akhmadaliev while judges Sergio Caiz and Jose Roberto Torres had it 115 to 113 for Tapales. PhilBoxing also had it 115-113 for Tapales.
Showing sharp movement and stiff jabs, Tapales controlled the tempo in the first half of the fight as Akhmadaliev could not find his distance and was a bit confused on how to penetrate the Filipino. Tapales was beating Ahkmadaliev to the punch and connected with several eye-popping uppercuts. Marlon had the first half wrapped up winning five rounds to one.
Akhmadaliev came back strong in the second half of the fight to narrow the gap in the scorecards but Tapales held on to the finish line to secure the victory.
Tapales is now a two-division world champion previously winning the WBO bantamweight title in 2016. Tapales has also become the Philippines' second reigning world champion to date after Melvin Jerusalem won the WBO minimumweight title last January.
Tapales improved his record to 37-3-0 with 19KOs and gave Akhmadaliev his first defeat to drop to 11-1, 8KOs.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Signed, Sealed… but Still Unsettled: Unanswered Questions Hang Over Fury-Joshua Ahead of Expected Ink
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 29 Jul 2026VETERAN SAVVY VS UNDEFEATED POWER: MUGICHA NAKAGAWA VS LEMUEL DE BARBO AUGUST 1 IN LA TRINIDAD
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 29 Jul 2026SKYE NICOLSON TO DEFEND WORLD TITLE AGAINST MIYO YOSHIDA ON AUG 29 IN BIRMINGHAM AS MATCHROOM AND MVP ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE
Wed, 29 Jul 2026Tickets for Martinez vs. Plantic in Los Angles, Saturday, August 29
Wed, 29 Jul 2026Grandy Twins Celebrate Milestone 18th Birthday, Set to Shine at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" on August 14
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Sergeev and Lubkovich set for key bouts at WINLINE. IBA.PRO 20 in Naberezhnye Chelny
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Hard-hitting SEA Games bronze medalist Mark Ashley Fajardo signs with Sanman Boxing
Tue, 28 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 JULY 2026: Tszyu vs Spence, Return of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Highlight Busy Week
By Eric Armit, Tue, 28 Jul 2026The Legacy Continues: Team Durán Prepares for Historic Panama-Mexico Showdown
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Jul 2026NM Ric Portugalera Tops Hongkong Blitz Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Jul 2026Nurghali gets second shot at Japparbergenov’s bantamweight title at International Boxing Day in Astana
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Champion's Mindset: Gustavo Trujillo Ready to Defend BKB Heavyweight Title Against Mark O'Neil at BKB 58
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Spanish boxer Eddine has been Hospitalized in Spain
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Jul 2026PH football in group C, G
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 28 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM MONDAY ROUNDUP: Tszyu Outclasses Spence in Sydney as "The Truth" Retires; Heavyweight Drama in Pattaya and Jeddah
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Mon, 27 Jul 2026