FORMER World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales stopped Mexican veteran Fernando Vargas Parra at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California in his US comeback. Tapales, who has fought sparingly in the past three years, rocked Parra with a right hook to the head in the fifth round.

He put on some pressure and tried to score a knockout but Parra was tough as nails. Tapales, who had former world champion Rodel Mayol in his corner, improved to 32-2 with 15 knockouts, while Parra dropped to 34-15-3 with 23 knockouts. (EKA)