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:
Spence vs Tszyu Fight Analysis and Prediction
By Ralph Rimpell, Fri, 24 Jul 2026“BUTTERFLY BRAWL” MARKS RETURN TO ICONIC SANTA MONICA PIER
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Fri, 24 Jul 2026AIM Jerick Faeldonia vying for Bangkok chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM THURSDAY ROUNDUP: Scale Shock in Pattaya, Red Sea Staredowns, and Final Countdown to Sydney
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Thu, 23 Jul 2026USA Boxing Sends Eight Boxers to Italy for International Duel
Thu, 23 Jul 2026P248k prize on the line in Moon Cake Festival Pro Amateur 10-ball tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 23 Jul 2026Super Lightweight Contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin Inks Promotional Pact with Top Rank
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Thu, 23 Jul 2026DUELING TUNE-UPS: Joshua and Fury Play High-Stakes Chicken Across Asia with November Mega-Fight Hanging in the Balance
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Chavon Stillwell and Izaiah Dent Put Their Perfect Records on the Line in a Can't-Miss Main Event at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights"
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Unbeaten Bizhamov faces Mironchikov in IBA Pro 20 main event in Naberezhnye Chelny
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Cuarto ready to fight Paradero
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 22 Jul 2026CHAVES DEFENDS WBO LATINO TITLE AGAINST GARCIA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Undefeated Middleweight Prospect Sebastian Juarez Returns August 8 Against Rance Ward
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and WBC Cares visits Pedro Fiorito Hospital in Avellaneda, Argentina
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 22 Jul 2026COLD SHOULDER IN SYDNEY: Spence and Tszyu Trade Snubs and Staredowns at Grand Arrivals Launch
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Tue, 21 Jul 2026