FILE — The New WBO Bantamweight Champion Marlon Nightmare Tapales pose with his belt during his arrival at Rex Wakee Salud International gym. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
OSAKA–Marlon Tapales did not even get the chance to defend his WBO bantamweight title here on Sunday.
The Filipino failed to make the 118-pound weight limit on his second attempt at the scales and was stripped of his title, a day before he was scheduled to defend it against Japanese Shohei Omori here.
READ: Tapales fails to make weight; 2-hr deadline starts
Though he spent more than an hour at the sauna, Tapales turned out to be too drained to lose weight.
In fact, the reverse happened as he check in heavier at 54.4 kilos (119.68 pounds) with his briefs on. Naked, he weighed 54.3 (119.46) two hours earlier.
READ: Weight issues hound Tapales four days before fight
Even if he beats Omori, who came in at 117.5, Sunday the title will be declared vacant. If Omori wins, he will be the new champion.