Tapales to defend WBO belt vs former KO victim

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu-based Mindanao brawler Marlon “Nightmare’”Tapales sets out for his first defense of his World Boxing Organization bantamweight title against Japanese champion Shohei Omori in a rematch on April 23 either in Kyoto or in Osaka, Japan.

 “The fight is a go. I received the contract last Tuesday night and signed it just this morning (Wednesday),” said Cebuano topnotch promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud, who manages Tapales.

The 24-year-old Tapales snared the WBO crown with an emphatic victory over two-time world champion Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand in Ayutthaya,Thailand last year.

Tapales bucked two knockdowns in the fifth round and battered Sor Singyu in the 11th round to pull off the win.

“It took me quite a while to seal a deal because I want nothing but the best for Tapales. I received several offers from around the world for his first defense, including from England and Australia but we opted for Japan because I feel that’s the best for my boxer,” added Salud.

Tapales stopped Omori during their first encounter on Dec. 16, 2015 at the Shimazu Arena in Kyoto, Japan.

After knocking down Omori thrice in the first round, Tapales came through with a brutal right hook that sent Omori down for good at 1:35 of the second round.

But Omori bounced back in style, racking up three straight wins via stoppages, the most recent was a rousing KO of former regional champion Rocky Fuentes of the ALA Gym on New Year’s eve.

Though he hasn’t fought for six months, Salud said Tapales is in top shape as he religiously skips the ropes, punches mitts, and hits the heavy bags even during the holiday season.