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:
WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Sat, 31 Jan 2026KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 31 Jan 2026THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
Sat, 31 Jan 2026