Tapales loses title without a fight

Marlon Nightmare Tapales (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

Osaka, Japan—Shohei Omori, eager for vengeance against an opponent who stopped him in just two rounds, called Marlon Tapales “not a professional” after the Filipino champion failed to make the weight for their WBO bantamweight championship bout.

The Filipino southpaw was stripped of his title after failing to make the grade on his second and final attempt at the scales during the official weigh-in at Hotel Monterey Grasmere here.

Even after spending some time at the sauna, Tapales registered 54.4 kilos (119.68 pounds) with his trunks on, way off the 118-lb limit. Two hours earlier, he checked in at 119.46 lb, naked.

In contrast, Japanese challenger Omori came in light on his first try at 117.5 lb. Omori was eager to avenge a two-round stoppage dealt him by Tapales in 2015 in Kyoto.

Omori can make it a double black eye for Tapales if he wins their fight at Edion Arena on Sunday, which will give the Japanese the WBO belt. If Tapales, physically drained and emotionally deflated, wins, the title will be declared vacant.

Tapales, who was visibly distraught after bungling his first title defense, arrived here Monday, nine pounds over the limit.