Tapales Ready for Biggest Fight in His Career

Marlon Tapales is ready to take on the biggest fight of his career, a world title shot against reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Pungluang Sor Singyu on June 17 in Thailand.

Though it is a tall order fighting in Thailand against a Thai in a world title fight, Rex Wakee Salud (RWS) Internationl matchmaker Willy Flores believes Tapales has a relatively good chance of taking home the belt based on what he has seen in training.

“He has a huge chance of winning because he is in great condition and he has shown very good movement in sparring,” Flores said.

The 24-year-old Tapales has been training in the RWS Gym in Labangon under the watchful eye of Fernando Ocon, who is a boxer and a trainer at the same time.

“He has been sparring an average of 10 rounds every other day,” said Flores.

The tandem of Tapales and Ocon has seen huge success.

Tapales, who was cornered by Ocon, scored a huge upset over previously unbeaten Shohei Omori last December in Japan.

Tapales knocked out Omori in the secod round, thus earning him a shot at Sor Singyu.

The 26-year-old Sor Singyu is a household name in the bantamweight division. He is a two-time world champion that will be remembered for spoiling AJ “Bazooka” Banal’s title hopes after stopping him in nine rounds in 2012.

He has also fought some of the elite names of his division, the likes of Tomoki Kameda, Paulus Ambnda, Stephane Jamoye and Ryo Akaho.

Tapales has a striking slate of 28-2 with 11 knockouts, while Sor Singyu has a more impressive record of 52-3 with 35 knockouts. (PNA) RMA/EB/MP/EDS