Tapales ready to rumble vs Uzbek champ

Ed Andaya

Aug 22

INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) No.1 super bantamweight contender Marlon "The Nightmare" Tapales is ready to rumble anytime, anywhere.
In fact, the 30-year-old fighter from Tubod, Lanao del Norte is already looking forward to a world title fight against unified IBF-WBA super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan sometime this year.
"I want him within this year," said Tapales, who boasts of a handsome ring record of 36 wins against only three losses.
"He is a great world champion and is very skilled and crafty. But I am confident my style is a great match to his and I have the arsenal to beat him. I leave the job of making the fight happen to my management and promotion team." added Tapales.
Tapales, who recently made short work of Mexican veteran Jose Estrella in the second round last May, is currently warming up at the Sanman Promotions gym in General Santos before flying to the United States by end of the month for a more rigorous training camp.
Tapales, also currently the No. 4 boxer in the World Boxing Organization (WBO), hopes to fight Akhmadaliev (W11 KO8 L0) this year.
"I am always grateful to Sanman, Knucklehead Boxing, Viva and Shapiro sports for taking care of my career. I have been grinding hard in the gym and can't wait for this fight to happen," stressed Tapales.
Sanman CEO and Tapales' manager Jim Claude Manangquil witnessed the hard work and determination of Tapales.
"He is training hard everyday waiting for his opportunity. Tapales is a true warrior and he can beat Akhmadaliev," said Manangquil.
Before his impressive second-round knockout win against Estrella, Tapales also won over compatriot Eden Sonsona in General Santos City last Nov. 21, 2020, and Hiroaki Teshigawara of Japan in Carlson City, USA last Dec.11, 2021.
His last defeat was inflicted by Ryosuke Iwasa of Japa in their battle for the vacant IBF super bantamweight title at Barclays Center in Brooklyn last Dec.7, 2019.
His only two other losses came at the hands of compatriot Brix Ray inSurigao City on May 30, 2009, and David Sanchez of Mexico in Sonora, Mexico on Feb.23, 2013.
Akhmadaliev, on the other hand, is still undefeated in 11 straight matches since turning pro on March 2018.
The 27-yearold Uzbek champion is best remembered for winning the silver medal at the 2015 World Championships and bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio as a bantamweight.
He won the vacant WBA Inter- Continental super bantamweight title with a first-round knockout win over Ramon Contreras in California in Aug. 23, 2018; and the unified WBA and IBF titles with a 12-round split decision victory against Daniel Roman in MIami, Florida last January 2020.
He retained the title thrice, beating Ryosuke Iwasa (April 2021), Jose Velasquez (November 2021) and Ronny Rios (June 2022). Ed Andaya