Tapales fails to make weight; 2-hr deadline starts

WBO bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales rides stationary bike inside sauna in 0saka, Japan, Thursday afternoon. Photo by Roy Luarca

OSAKA—Marlon Tapales failed to make the weight on his first try here, putting in peril his defense of the WBO bantamweight crown.

Tapales registered 119.75 pounds during the official weigh-in while challenger Shohei Omori came in half a pound under the bantamweight limit.

Tapales has two hours to drop 1.75 lb or be stripped of his crown.

Tapales encountered weight problems leading to fight night and has taken srastic measures to reduce his weight. Several observers are wary of his condition for fight night even if he succeeds in making the grade.

Tapales even turned vegetarian since arriving here Monday. Tapales is scheduled to tangle with Omori on Sunday.