INSTEAD of facing Mexican Edgar Martinez, Marlon Tapales is back to fighting his original foe Fredirex Rodriguez for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific bantamweight crown on Aug. 1 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.
“He will be fighting the first opponent who was scheduled to face him,” Tapales’ coach Juanito Ablaca told Sun.Star Cebu.
Martinez could have been a tough test for Tapales, but Rodriguez should also be a difficult assignment for the 21-year-old up-and-comer.
The 25-year-old Rodriguez is a former interim WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion and has a record of 11-2-1 with eight knockouts. He has won four straight fights, including over prospect Vincent Palicte and Thai Khunkhiri Wor Wisaruth.
His two losses are from world-ranked Mark Geraldo and unbeaten Thai Kwanpichit Onesongchai.
Tapales is 22-2 with nine knockouts. He has won his last fight, a fourth round technical knockout over Ruben Manakane. He lost his fight before that against Mexican prospect David Sanchez by majority decision.
