Tapales set for boxing return on May 10 vs Thai foe

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Former super bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales is back in the sport of boxing and is looking to bounce back on May 10, 2024, against Nattapong Jankaew of Thailand.

Months after losing his International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) belts at the hands of Naoya Inoue during their unification clash, the Filipino pug will need a win to help him boost his ranking in the pound-for-pound list.

According to his official promotion company Sanman Boxing, Tapales will be fighting Jankaew for the vacant WBC Asia Continental super bantamweight belt to be held at the Midales Hotel and Casino in Manila.

In retrospect, Tapales failed to break Inoue’s unbeaten boxing record during their highly-anticipated clash last December 26, 2023.

Inoue handled his business with class once again and knocked out Tapales in the 10th round with a devastating right straight that landed on the Filipino’s head.

With 2:19 left in the 10th, Inoue first set up his blows with a barrage of punches before unleashing the right straight that ended Tapales’ brave attempt of tainting the Japanese’s professional boxing record.

Inoue remained undefeated in the sport, carrying an impressive 26 wins, 23 knockouts record while Tapales fell to 37 wins, 19 knockouts, and four defeats.

Now carrying a different mindset ahead of his fight, Tapales will aim to snatch the Asia Continental belt to attract more title fights in the future.

It has been a roller coaster ride for Jankaew after splitting his last two four fights with two wins and two losses.

However, the Thai slugger is coming off an impressive knockout win against Woraphon Saecha last March 30, 2024, held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Known for his heavy hands and knockout power, Jankaew will look to force Tapales into a hitting distance fight and find openings to unleash his power.

On the other hand, Tapales proved against Inoue that he can switch things up and fight both ways, either offensively or defensively.

Will Tapales grab the win and re-assert his name in the list of world champions in the super bantamweight division?