Marlon Tapales


Marlon Tañan Tapales is a Filipino professional boxer. He has held world championships in two weight classes, including the World Boxing Organization bantamweight title from 2016 to 2017 and the unified World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight titles in 2023.

Professional career

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.

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.

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.

Tapales vs. Akhmadaliev

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

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. 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. 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.

''Thrilla in Manila: 50th Anniversary''

After three consecutive victories Tapales is scheduled to fight Venezuelan boxer Fernando Toro on October 29, 2025, with the collaborations of Blow by Blow, MP Promotions, and the
International Boxing Association setting the event billed as Thrilla in Manila: 50th Anniversay. It is meant as the 50th anniversary commemoration of the original Thrilla in Manila 1975 fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier at the Araneta Coliseum, Quezon city, Philippines.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
45Win41–4Fernando ToroKO6, 2:31Oct 29, 2025Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, National Capital Region, Philippines
44Win40–4Jon Jon JetRTD3, 3:00Apr 27, 2025Venue 88, General Santos, South Cotabato, PhilippinesWon vacant WBC International Silver super-bantamweight title
43Win39–4Saurabh KumarUD10Sep 7, 2024Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, CambodiaRetained WBC-ABCO Continental super-bantamweight title
42Win38–4Nattapong JankaewKO1, 2:15May 10, 2024Midas Hotel and Casino, Pasay, National Capital Region, PhilippinesWon vacant WBC-ABCO Continental super-bantamweight title
41Loss37–4Naoya InoueKO10, 1:02Dec 26, 2023Ariake Arena, Tokyo, JapanLost WBA and IBF super-bantamweight titles;
For WBC, WBO, and vacant The Ring super-bantamweight titles
40Win37–3Murodjon Akhmadaliev12Apr 8, 2023Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.Won WBA (Super) and IBF super-bantamweight titles
39Win36–3Jose EstrellaKO2, 1:39May 14, 2022Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
38Win35–3Hiroaki TeshigawaraTKO2, 0:06Dec 11, 2021Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
37Win34–3Eden SonsonaTKO2, 0:46Nov 21, 2020Sanman Gym, General Santos, South Cotabato, Philippines
36Loss33–3Ryosuke IwasaTKO11, 1:09Dec 7, 2019Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.For vacant IBF interim super-bantamweight title
35Win33–2Roberto CastanedaKO3, 1:37Jun 1, 2019Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, U.S.
34Win32–2Fernando Vargas ParraRTD5, 3:00Feb 16, 2019Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
33Win31–2Goodluck MremaKO1, 2:10Sep 30, 2018SM North EDSA Skydome, Quezon City, National Capital Region, Philippines
32Win30–2Shohei OmoriTKO11, 0:16Apr 23, 2017Edion Arena Osaka, Osaka, JapanWBO bantamweight title at stake only for Omori after Tapales missed weight
31Win29–2Pungluang Sor SingyuKO11, 0:30Jul 27, 2016Ayutthaya City Park, Ayutthaya, ThailandWon WBO bantamweight title
30Win28–2Shohei OmoriTKO2, 1:35Dec 16, 2015Shimazu Arena, Kyoto, Japan
29Win27–2Jecker BuhaweUD10Jan 31, 2015USeP Gymnasium, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
28Win26–2Fadhili MajihaUD12Jun 28, 2014Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, PhilippinesRetained WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title
27Win25–2Hayato Kimura5, 1:40Apr 13, 2014Sangyo Hall, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
26Win24–2Galih SusantoUD10Feb 8, 2014Almendras Gym, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
25Win23–2Fredirex RodriguezUD12Aug 1, 2013Waterfront [Cebu City Hotel & Casino|Waterfront Hotel & Casino], Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, PhilippinesWon WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title
24Win22–2Ruben ManakaneTKO4, 2:17May 26, 2013Sangyo Hall, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
23Loss21–2David SánchezMD12Feb 23, 2013Gimnasio del Estado, Hermosillo, Sonora, MexicoFor vacant WBC interim Silver super flyweight title
22Win21–1RasmanudinKO2, 1:10Oct 20, 2012SM [Mall of Asia Arena], Pasay, National Capital Region, Philippines
21Win20–1Rex OlisaTKO3, 1:41Nov 17, 2011Flores Auditorium, Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
20Win19–1Martin MubiruUD10Oct 9, 2011Panphil B. Frasco Memorial Sports Complex, Liloan, Cebu, Philippines
19Win18–1Manot ComputKO4, 1:50Jun 25, 2011Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
18Win17–1Alejandro SolorioMD6May 6, 2011Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
17Win16–1Charlie Cabilla1, 2:46Feb 6, 2011Dalaguete Sports Complex, Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines
16Win15–1Rey MegrinoUD10Nov 5, 2010Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig, National Capital Region, Philippines
15Win14–1Richard OlisaUD10Oct 6, 2010Glan, Sarangani, Philippines
14Win13–1Charlie CabillaUD12Jun 12, 2010Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum, Barangay Tetuan, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, PhilippinesRetained Philippines GAB light-flyweight title
13Win12–1Warlito ParrenasTKO7, 1:19Apr 9, 2010Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, PhilippinesWon Philippines GAB light-flyweight title
12Win11–1Randy PetalcorinTKO2, 2:50Jan 23, 2010Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay, National Capital Region, Philippines
11Win10–1Armando de la CruzUD10Nov 8, 2009Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
10Win9–1Jerson MancioUD10Aug 29, 2009Provincial Capitol Grounds, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Philippines
9Loss8–1Brix Ray6, 3:00May 30, 2009City Auditorium, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, PhilippinesFor Philippines Boxing Federation flyweight title
8Win8–0Michael RodriguezUD10Apr 19, 2009Mahinog Gym, Mahinog, Camiguin, Philippines
7Win7–0Rodel TejaresUD10Mar 25, 2009Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
6Win6–0Ryan TampusUD8Jan 15, 2009Maasim, Sarangani, Philippines
5Win5–0Charlie LamilaTKO1,
2:37		Dec 27, 2008Christ the King Gym, Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
4Win4–0Freddie MartinezUD6Nov 19, 2008Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
3Win3–0Jherom Tuyor6Sep 20, 2008Teachers Gym, Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
2Win2–0Sherwin McDo Lungay4Aug 23, 2008BS Gym, Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
1Win1–0Nestor Gamolo1, 0:54Jul 18, 2008Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Philippines