Marlon Tapales

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Tañan and the surname or paternal family name is Tapales.

Marlon Tapales (born March 23, 1992) is a Filipino professional boxer. He has held world championships in two weight classes, including the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title from 2016 to 2017 and the unified World Boxing Association (WBA) (Super version) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-bantamweight titles in 2023.

Marlon Tapales
Tapales with the IBF (red) and WBA (black) super-bantamweight titles, 2023.
Born	(1992-03-23) March 23, 1992 (age 33) Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
Other names	Nightmare
Statistics
Weight(s)	Light flyweight Flyweight Super flyweight Bantamweight Super bantamweight Featherweight Super featherweight
Height	5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Reach	67+1⁄2 in (171 cm)
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	44
Wins	40
Wins by KO	21
Losses	4

Professional career

WBO bantamweight champion

Tapales vs. Sor Singyu

In 2016, Tapales defeated WBO bantamweight champion Pungluang Sor Singyu by KO in the eleventh round and won his first world title.^[1][2]

Tapales vs. Iwasa

On 7 December 2019, Tapales fought Ryosuke Iwasa for the vacant IBF super bantamweight title. During the fight Tapales suffered a concussion because of accidental head-clash. But the fight continued and Iwasa won via an eleventh-round TKO.^[3]

Tapales vs. Teshigawara

On 11 December 2021, Tapales fought Teshigawara, ranked #3 by the IBF at super bantamweight. Tapales managed to stop Teshigawara within two rounds.^[4]

Unified WBA(super) and IBF super bantamweight champion

Tapales vs. Akhmadaliev

On 8 April 2023, Tapales beat Murodjon Akhmadaliev via split decision to win the WBA (Super) and IBF super-bantamweight world titles and became a 2 weight world champion.^[5]

Undisputed super bantamweight title fight

Tapales vs. Inoue

On August 21, 2023, it was reported that Tapales had entered into negotiations with the unified WBC and WBO super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue for an undisputed title bout.^[6] The fight is expected to take place at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on 26 December 2023, and would be broadcast by ESPN+ in the United States.^[7][8] Tapales lost the fight by 10th round knockout against Inoue earning his fourth defeat. Despite the loss, however, Tapales made history for being the first Filipino boxer to fight for undisputed in the 4-belt era, and the second Asian to do so.

Professional boxing record

44 fights	40 wins	4 losses
By knockout	21	3
By decision	19	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
44	Win	40–4	Jon Jon Jet	RTD	3 (10), 3:00	Apr 27, 2025	Venue 88, General Santos, South Cotabato, Philippines	Won vacant WBC International Silver super-bantamweight title
43	Win	39–4	Saurabh Kumar	UD	10	Sep 7, 2024	Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Retained WBC-ABCO Continental super-bantamweight title
42	Win	38–4	Nattapong Jankaew	KO	1 (10), 2:15	May 10, 2024	Midas Hotel and Casino, Pasay, National Capital Region, Philippines	Won vacant WBC-ABCO Continental super-bantamweight title
41	Loss	37–4	Naoya Inoue	KO	10 (12), 1:02	Dec 26, 2023	Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan	Lost WBA (Super) and IBF super-bantamweight titles; For WBC, WBO, and vacant The Ring super-bantamweight titles
40	Win	37–3	Murodjon Akhmadaliev	SD	12	Apr 8, 2023	Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.	Won WBA (Super) and IBF super-bantamweight titles
39	Win	36–3	Jose Estrella	KO	2 (8), 1:39	May 14, 2022	Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
38	Win	35–3	Hiroaki Teshigawara	TKO	2 (12), 0:06	Dec 11, 2021	Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
37	Win	34–3	Eden Sonsona	TKO	2 (10), 0:46	Nov 21, 2020	Sanman Gym, General Santos, South Cotabato, Philippines
36	Loss	33–3	Ryosuke Iwasa	TKO	11 (12), 1:09	Dec 7, 2019	Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.	For vacant IBF interim super-bantamweight title
35	Win	33–2	Roberto Castaneda	KO	3 (10), 1:37	Jun 1, 2019	Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, U.S.
34	Win	32–2	Fernando Vargas Parra	RTD	5 (10), 3:00	Feb 16, 2019	Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
33	Win	31–2	Goodluck Mrema	KO	1 (10), 2:10	Sep 30, 2018	SM North EDSA Skydome, Quezon City, National Capital Region, Philippines
32	Win	30–2	Shohei Omori	TKO	11 (12), 0:16	Apr 23, 2017	Edion Arena Osaka, Osaka, Japan	WBO bantamweight title at stake only for Omori after Tapales missed weight
31	Win	29–2	Pungluang Sor Singyu	KO	11 (12), 0:30	Jul 27, 2016	Ayutthaya City Park, Ayutthaya, Thailand	Won WBO bantamweight title
30	Win	28–2	Shohei Omori	TKO	2 (12), 1:35	Dec 16, 2015	Shimazu Arena, Kyoto, Japan
29	Win	27–2	Jecker Buhawe	UD	10	Jan 31, 2015	USeP Gymnasium, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
28	Win	26–2	Fadhili Majiha	UD	12	Jun 28, 2014	Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines	Retained WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title
27	Win	25–2	Hayato Kimura	TD	5 (10), 1:40	Apr 13, 2014	Sangyo Hall, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
26	Win	24–2	Galih Susanto	UD	10	Feb 8, 2014	Almendras Gym, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
25	Win	23–2	Fredirex Rodriguez	UD	10	Aug 1, 2013	Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines	Won WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title
24	Win	22–2	Ruben Manakane	TKO	4 (10), 2:17	May 26, 2013	Sangyo Hall, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
23	Loss	21–2	David Sánchez	MD	12	Feb 23, 2013	Gimnasio del Estado, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico	For vacant WBC interim Silver super flyweight title
22	Win	21–1	Rasmanudin	KO	2 (8), 1:10	Oct 20, 2012	SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, National Capital Region, Philippines
21	Win	20–1	Rex Olisa	KO	3 (10), 1:41	Nov 17, 2011	Flores Auditorium, Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
20	Win	19–1	Martin Mubiru	UD	10	Oct 9, 2011	Panphil B. Frasco Memorial Sports Complex, Liloan, Cebu, Philippines
19	Win	18–1	Manot Comput	KO	4 (10), 1:50	Jun 25, 2011	Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
18	Win	17–1	Alejandro Solorio	MD	6	May 6, 2011	Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
17	Win	16–1	Charlie Cabilla	KO	1 (10), 2:46	Feb 6, 2011	Dalaguete Sports Complex, Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines
16	Win	15–1	Rey Megrino	UD	10	Nov 5, 2010	Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig, National Capital Region, Philippines
15	Win	14–1	Richard Olisa	UD	10	Oct 6, 2010	Glan, Sarangani, Philippines
14	Win	13–1	Charlie Cabilla	UD	12	Jun 12, 2010	Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum, Barangay Tetuan, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines	Retained Philippines GAB light-flyweight title
13	Win	12–1	Warlito Parrenas	TKO	7 (12), 1:19	Apr 9, 2010	Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines	Won Philippines GAB light-flyweight title
12	Win	11–1	Randy Petalcorin	TKO	2 (8), 2:50	Jan 23, 2010	Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay, National Capital Region, Philippines
11	Win	10–1	Armando de la Cruz	UD	10	Nov 8, 2009	Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
10	Win	9–1	Jerson Mancio	UD	10	Aug 29, 2009	Provincial Capitol Grounds, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Philippines
9	Loss	8–1	Brix Ray	RTD	6 (10), 3:00	May 30, 2009	City Auditorium, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Philippines	For Philippines Boxing Federation (PBF) flyweight title
8	Win	8–0	Michael Rodriguez	UD	8	Apr 19, 2009	Mahinog Gym, Mahinog, Camiguin, Philippines
7	Win	7–0	Rodel Tejares	UD	8	Mar 25, 2009	Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
6	Win	6–0	Ryan Tampus	UD	6	Jan 15, 2009	Maasim, Sarangani, Philippines
5	Win	5–0	Charlie Lamila	TKO	6	Dec 27, 2008	Christ the King Gym, Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
4	Win	4–0	Freddie Martinez	UD	6	Nov 19, 2008	Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
3	Win	3–0	Jherom Tuyor	UD	4	Sep 20, 2008	Teachers Gym, Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
2	Win	2–0	Sherwin McDo Lungay	MD	4	Aug 23, 2008	BS Gym, Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
1	Win	1–0	Nestor Gamolo	TKO	1 (4), 0:54	Jul 18, 2008	Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines

See also

• List of southpaw stance boxers
• List of world bantamweight boxing champions
• List of world super-bantamweight boxing champions
• List of Filipino boxing world champions