Bantam champ Tapales, 2 others headline Elorde awards

Marlon Tapales is leaving nothing to chance in his first defense of the WBO bantamweight crown.

He’s training so hard that he’d still be sparring at RWS Gym in Cebu Saturday before leaving for Manila to receive his award as co-winner of Boxer of the Year in the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Awards and Banquet of Champions at The Tent City of Manila Hotel.

The 24-year-old Tapales battled back from two knockdowns to stop Thai champion Pungluang Sor Singyu in the 11th round last July. He will share the top award with IBF flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero and IBF super flyweight king Jerwin Ancajas.

Tapales is slated to defend his title against former victim Shohei Omori in Osaka, Japan, on April 23.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao, the WBO welterweight champion, and undefeated Donnie Nietes will also receive awards.