Marlon Tapales became the Philippines's latest world champion with a split-decision win over Murodjon Akhmadaliev last night in San Antonio, Texas.
Tapales (37-3, 19 KOs) picked up the IBF and WBA belts at super bantamweight in a close fight that many thought could have gone either way. Akhmadaliev picked up a first career defeat moving his record to 11-1 (8 KOs). A rematch was obviously on top of the agenda, however promoter Eddie Hearn did not seem too convinced that fight happens next.
“No rematch clause.” Said Hearn in an interview with ID Boxing. “But, we will be pushing the WBAto get a mandatory. We feel he won the fight. Obviously Inoue and Fulton is not happening until July. We will try and force a rematch.”
Uzbek, Akhmadaliev won both belts in just his 8th professional fight, claiming a decision win over Daniel Roman in 2020 when fast tracked to a world title upon turning professional ion 2018.
Tapales came in as the underdog and the mandatory challenger for the belt, now a two-weight world champion having won the bantamweight title against Panya Uthok in 2016.
Tapales now owns half of the treasure at 122lbs. Stephen Fulton and Naoya Inoue fight for the WBC and WBO titles this July.
