PH's Tapales kayoes Mexican foe in California

DAVAO CITY – Featherweight Marlon “Marading Nightmare” Tapales of Lanao del Norte knocked out Roberto Castaneda of Mexico in the third round of Sunday’s (Manila time) at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, California, USA.

Tapales, a former world bantamweight champion, is now being groomed as among the possible contenders for Mexico’s Emanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete, the current World Boxing Organization champion.

It was the 16th knockout in 33 wins against 2 losses by the 27-year old Tapales, while Castaneda suffered his 12th loss against 23 wins and 2 draws.

In a 2017 boxing event in Japan, Tapales TKO’d Shohei Omori of Japan in the 11th round to win the vacant World Boxing Organization world bantamweight title in Osaka.

On the other hand, Jhack “El Kapitan” Tepora of Cebu City remained undefeated by scoring a unanimous decision over Jose Luis “Relampago” Gallegos in the undercard.

It was the 24-year old Tepora's 23rd victory.

Meanwhile, GenSan boxer Adam Diu Abdulhamid lost his bid by a unanimous decision to Steve Gago of Australia for the vacant International Boxing Federation Pan Pacific welterweight title on Saturday at the Wynn Palace Cotai in Macao.

It was the 8th setback suffered by Abdulhamid against 14 wins.

The 30-year- old Gago, nicknamed “Timorese Terror” scored his 11th straight win and remained undefeated with 4 knockouts. (PNA)