Tapales loses title on scales after failing to make weight
OSAKA, Japan — Marlon 'The Nightmare'
Tapales of the Philippines has been stripped of his WBO bantamweight title after he failed to make the
contracted 118 lbs. weight on his second try during the official weigh-in held at Hotel Monterey here Saturday afternoon ahead of his first against Shohei
Omori of Japan scheduled today at the
Edion Arena here.
Tapales, who weighed in at 54.3 kilos (119.75 lbs) during the first try, came back one hour and 45 minutes later to the weighing scale but this time he weighed in even heavier at 54.4 kilos (119.93 lbs).
WBO supervisor Rolando Marcos Hermosa of Panama then read the WBO championship rules in front of Tapales, his manager Rex 'Wakee' Salud and matchmaker Joe Koizumi, who also acted as the interpreter, stripping Tapales of his title.
The fight will still push through as scheduled but should Tapales wins over Omori, the title will be left vacant. Should Omori win, he will become the new WBO bantamweight champion.
According to former world champion Gerry Penalosa, who was in Tapales team, both boxers will wear same ounce gloves.
It was indeed a disappointing setback for Tapales, who has to wait for seven months before defending the WBO crown he snared in dramatic fashion over two-time world champion Pungluang Sor Singyu on July 27 last year in Ayutthaya, Thailand. He courageously bucked two knockdowns in the fifth round, then battered Sor Singyu into 11th round submission.
Against Omori, Tapales is the heavy favorite having easily knocked out the Japanese in their first meeting on December 16, 2015. After flooring Omori thrice in the first round, Tapales came through with a powerful right hook that sent Omori down for good at 1:35 of the second round.
Now, everything seems all gone for Tapales who has a lot to ponder with regards to the future of his career win or loss against Omori.—
Dong Secuya of Philboxing.com with EBV