Former two-division world champion Marlon Tapares (37-4, 19 KOs) will be competing in his first fight since December 26th in Tokyo, where he lost in 10 rounds. Naoya Inoue.
The Filipino fighter earned the opportunity to challenge for undisputed super bantamweight glory after scoring an impressive career-best win against Bantam last April. Murodjon Akhmadaliev Won WBA and IBF world titles respectively.
Tapares upended the odds against Inoue, proving he wasn't just going to roll with the four-division world champion, landing multiple heavy shots on the Japanese phenom. In the end, Inoue's attack while Tapares was pinned to the ropes caused him to fall to the canvas, unable to beat the referee's count.
After the match, Tapares told reporters that he needed time to think about his future.
The former unified champion will return on May 10th and appear at the Midas Hotel and Casino in Manila, Philippines. Sunman Boxing will work with His MP Promotions, Knucklehead Boxing and Viva His Promotions to promote the event.
Tapares will face a Thai fighter Nattapong Jangkeo The winner of the 10-round super bantamweight bout (12-3, 8 KOs) will receive the WBC regional title.
Jangkeo has lost three of his past five matches, but last competed in his native Thailand on March 30, stopping debutant Worafong Secha in Bangkok in 14 seconds.
“I learned a lot from my last fight. I will work hard to become world champion again,” Tapares said in a media statement after his return was confirmed in the Philippine capital next month.
Raymart Gabarro (27-1, 22 KOs) will compete in the co-main event of the same card, facing Mexico. Kenbun Torres (13 wins, 5 losses, 9 KOs). Gaballo is currently rated the No. 1 bantamweight by the WBC within the sanctioning body's rankings. Gabario expects he will be obligated to face the winner of the projected title fight. Jason Morroney (27 wins, 2 losses, 19 KOs) Yoshiki TakeNext month in Tokyo, Japan (8-0, 8 KOs).
