Vicelles, Tapales brace for crucial fights abroad

CEBU, Philippines — Filipino boxers Mark “Rasta Mac” Vicelles and Marlon “Nightmare” Tapales carry different missions when they see action abroad on September 26.

Vicelles (21-2-1, 11 KOs) will challenge reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight champion Thanongsak Simsri (40-1, 35 KOs) of Thailand at the Fujisan Messe Exhibition Hall in Shizuoka, Japan.

The winner of the Vicelles-Simsri clash will be obliged to make his next title defense against Regie “Filipino Phenom” Suganob of the PMI Bohol Boxing Stable.

Suganob earned a mandatory shot at the IBF 108-pound crown after scoring a fifth-round knockout over his former South African tormentor, Sivenathi Nontshinga, in their IBF title eliminator that headlined “Kumong Bol-anon XXVI” last September 12 at the Bohol Wisdom School (BWS) Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City.

Tapales (41-5, 22 KOs), meanwhile, will make his featherweight debut against grizzled Thai veteran Nirun Baonok (15-33,11 KOs) in Pattaya, Thailand.

JC Manangquil, Tapales’ promoter and manager, said the fight will serve as an acid test for the former two-division world titlist as he bids to become a three-division world champion.

Tapales once held court in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight and International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight divisions. — (FREEMAN)