Tapales vows to come back stronger with WBC Asia belt in sight
CEBU, Philippines — Learning a lesson from his previous defeat, former two-division world champion Marlon Tapales vows to comeback stronger.
And his journey to redemption starts when he slugs it out with Thailand’s Nattapong Jankaew for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian Continental super bantamweight title on May 10 at Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.
In his previous bout, Tapales suffered a 10th round knockout loss to the vaunted Japanese “Monster Naoya Inoue in their super bantamweight undisputed showdown on December 28 last year in Japan.
Tapales remains hopeful though despite that stinging setback.
“Pasalamat ko og dako sa Ginoo nga bisan tuod og napilde ko sa last nakong duwa, wala rako natagaak kaayo sa world rankings. Pasalamat sab ko sa akong boss (JC Manangquil) nga gitagaan ko niya og dula dayon para makabalik na sab ko,” said the pride of Maranding, Lanao del Norte.
Moving on, Tapales armed himself with renewed vigor and deep sense of optimism that he will become a champion again.
“Wa koy laing mapasalig kondili mobalik ko ibabaw sa ring nga mas lig-on,” Tapales added.
Tapales holds a 37-4 record with 19KOs, while Nattapong, who will be fighting for the first time outside of his homeland, carries a 12-3 card with 8KOs.
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