Tapales KOs Thai warrior in Lanao del Norte boxfest

CEBU, Philippines - Reigning RP light flyweight champion Marlon "D' Bulldozer" Tapales continued his rise to stardom after he knocked out Thai Yodpichai Sithsaithong at 1:50 of the fourth round in the main event of "Bakbakan sa Araw ng Lanao" boxing extravaganza last Saturday night at the Mindanao Civic Center gymnasium in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

The 19-year-old Tapales is now on a 10-fight winning streak since absorbing his first and only defeat, so far, via sixth round TKO to the Davaoeño bomber Brix Ray during their PBL flyweight championship on May 30, 2009 at the Surigao City Auditorium in Surigao del Norte. Overall, he sports a 18-1 win-loss record packed with 6KOs.

The proud son of Lanao del Norte claimed the RP 108-pound title after stopping the Japan-based Negrense warrior Wars Katsumata in the seventh round on April 9 last year also at his hometown. He once fought in the United States, eking out a majority decision victory over American Alejandro Solorio two months ago at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In the undercards of the slambang show presented by Rex "Wakee" Salud Promotions International in association with the provincial government of Lanao del Norte under the dynamic leadership of Governor Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo, Thony Geromino stopped Ramil Anito at 2:36 of round four, RJ Ano-os punched his way to a unanimous decision victory over Gadwin Tubigon, and Esrael Sapo hacked out a TKO win over Junjie Lausa at 1:36 of round four.

Also, Romy Munding decisioned Jerome Tuyor over six heats, Christian Saga forced Juanito Kid Tumugsok to quit on his stool at 1:15 of the opening session, Jesson Neri needed only 104 seconds to dispose Michael Dopol and Mark Anthony Florida also did not go through the full route, knocking the lights off Joel Bactol at 2:10 of the second round. — THE FREEMAN