Tapales to get 3 sparring partners for Baguio camp
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 07 Nov 2023
REIGNING IBF World and WBA Super World super bantamweight champion Marlon “Nightmare” Tapales of Tubod, Lanao del Norte will get three sparring partners in preparation for his unification title fight against WBC and WBO World super bantamweight champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue of Japan on December 26 at Ariake Arena in Koto-Ku, Tokyo.
This was revealed by Tapales’ manager JC Manangquil of Sanman Boxing Promotions, who was still on flight going home to Manila from Los Angeles.
“Tapales will be in Baguio on November 8, and I will be there on the 14th,” said Manangquil, who will turn 30 on November 24.
The 31-year-old Tapales will also arrive with trainer Ernel Fontanilla and Manangquil’s secretary Ramon Falgui.
Tapales (37-3-0, 19KOs) will have orthodox Vincent “Asero” Astrolabio of General Santos City, Herlan “Nino Bonito” Gomez of Bacolod City and Jon Jon “Wolverine” Estrada of Pasay City for his camp in Baguio City starting November 8.
The 26-year-old Astrolabio, who recently won the WBC bantamweight elimination bout by stopping Nawaphon Kaikanha of Thailand in the 11th round last August 8, 2023 in Bangkok will still come from Davao City.
Astrolabio (19-4-0, 14KOs) will go to Baguio on November 15 together with his manager and chief trainer Raides “Nonoy” Neri of MP Boxing Davao.
Gomez, on the other hand, recently won the WBC Asian Silver bantamweight title by a knockout over Komarich Nantapech in the 1st round last September 28 in Bangkok.
The 24-year-old Gomez (11-1-0, 8KOs) arrived last November 6 with his trainer Francisco Jaro from Bangkok wherein they are already based in Highland Boxing Bangkok.
Estrada (17-11-1, 14KOs) has lost recently to Kai Watanabe by a knockout last July 8, 2023 in Japan.
The Tapales-Inoue mega-fight is promoted by Hideyuki Ohashi of Ohashi Promotions.
It will be covered by USA ESPN.
Photo: IBF and WBA World super bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales (extreme right) with manager JC Manangquil (extreme left) and trainer Ernel Fontanilla aboard the airplane bound for Manila. (photo by Ramon Falgui).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026