Tapales set to defend WBC Asia super bantam title in Cambodia

CEBU, Philippines — Not one, not two but three Filipino boxers will be seeing action on September 7 in different countries.

This as former two-division unified world champion Marlon Tapales is set to step into the ring at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on the said date to put his WBC Asia super bantamweight throne on the line against Indian challenger Saurabh Kumar.

On the same day, Cebuano ring gladiators Bryx “The King” Piala of ARQ Stable and John Ver Espra of Prime Fight Gym will be fighting too.   

Piala (9-1, 3KOs) will slug it out with the unbeaten Japanese hard-puncher Mikito Nakano (10-0, 9KOs) for the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) featherweight belt at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall, while Espra will make his international debut against Mongolia’s Orkhontungalag Unubold in a non-title bout scheduled for six rounds under the flyweight division in Incheon, South Korea.

Tapales, ranked No.2 by the WBC, No.3 by the IBF, and No.4 by in the WBA, stands as one of the top contenders in the 122-pound weight class. His upcoming bout against Kumar will keep him sharp and ready as he anticipates another world title shot within the year.

“I am happy to be fighting in the great country of Cambodia and excited to give them a good show. Thank you KKIF and Wurkz Energy Drink for making this fight possible. I am grateful to my team, especially Sanman Boxing and Knuckleheads, for their unwavering support and dedication throughout my career,” said Tapales in a statement.

The 32-year-old Tapales holds a 38-4 record spiked with 20KOs, while Kumar, 28, has lost only once in 13 matches with 6KOs.

The historic show is expected to draw fans from around the world as Tapales battles against a tough opponent.

Promoted by KKIF and supported by Wurkz Energy Drink in association with Sanman Boxing, the Tapales-Kumar is sure to deliver an action-packed evening of world-class boxing in the heart of Cambodia.