Tapales returns to boxing after 17-month hiatus

CEBU, Philippines — Former WBO bantamweight champion Marlon "Maranding Nightmare" Tapales of Cebu's Rex "Wakee" Salud Stable will return to boxing after a 17-month hiatus when he battles Goodluck Mrema of Tanzania six weeks from now in Manila.

Sanman Promotions CEO JC Manangquil, who helps Wakee Salud in charting the career of Tapales, announced in his Facebook page yesterday that Tapales will serve as the supporting main event of the Reymart Gaballo-Julias Kisarawe duel on September 30 at the Sky Dome of SM City North EDSA in Quezon City.

The 26-year-old Tapales hasn't fought since scoring an 11th round stoppage of Japanese contender Shohei Omori on April 23, 2017 at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan.

During that bout, Tapales was supposed to defend his WBO belt for the first time but the fighting pride of Kapatagan Lanao del Norte was stripped of his title even before he could throw a punch for failing to make the 118-pound limit during the official weigh-in.

Now campaigning as a junior featherweight, Tapales looks forward to the new chapter of his fistic journey with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.

"I'm excited to fight again. I want to show to everyone that I still have what it takes to be a world champion again," said Tapales, who is currently in the thick of rigid training at the Sanman Gym in General Santos City preparatory for his ring comeback.

Tapales, who survived two knockdowns to finish off Pungluang Sor Singyu in the 11th round and snare the WBO bantamweight crown two years ago in Ayutthaya, Thailand, holds a 30-2 record packed with 13KOs, while Mrema carries a 22-3 mark with 12KOs.

The 23-year-old Mrema is the same boxer who lost by first-round knockout to Jeo Santisima of the ALA Gym on July 8 last year at the IEC Convention Center in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

Mrema figured in two regional championship bouts in his last three ring appearances but lost both of them - by decision to Russian David Agadzhanyan in their WBO Youth super bantamweight title match last March at the Basket Hall in Krasnodar, Russia, and by TKO to Scottish upstart Lee McGregor in their IBF Youth bantamweight championship clash just two months ago at The SSE Hydro in  Glasgow, Scotland. (FREEMAN)