There is only way Filipino mandatory challenger Marlon Tapales sees himself becoming the new World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion next week in Ayutthaya, Thailand.
“Knockout lang,” Tapales said during a break in his training for his July 27 crack at Pungluang Sor Singyu’s WBO 118-lb crown.
Even Tapales’ training team and promoter share the same sentiment.
“There is no other way to win but by KO,” hollered Tapales’ chief handler Wakee Salud from their training base in Cebu City.
Brix Flores, who serves as one of two trainers, echoed Salud’s observations.
“The target is to score a knockout because it will be very difficult to win by decision in Thailand,” said Flores, aware of Thailand’s notoriety for hometown decisions.
To help Tapales get ready for the Thai grind, Flores sent him banging bodies with Adonis Aguelo, Niel John Tabanao, Gerpaul Valero and veteran Marco Demecillo.
“Marlon trained long and hard and he will be ready,” added Flores, who joins Team Tapales on a trip to Bangkok this Saturday night.
From Suvarnabhumi Airport, Tapales and the gang will be driven to Ayutthaya, about 75 kilometers north of the capital.
Sor Singyu is best remembered by Filipino fight fans for his stoppage win over AJ Banal a few years ago at the Mall of Asia Arena.
But unlike Banal, who suffers from stamina problems, Tapales is a different animal.