In a notable upset in Tokyo, former world champion Yukinori Oguni delivered a disciplined performance to secure a unanimous decision victory over fellow ex-titleholder Marlon Tapales.
Oguni, who entered the bout as a 6/1 underdog, earned scores of 98-92, 97-93, and 96-94 after ten rounds in a tactical contest that saw momentum shift as the fight progressed.
Tapales came out sharp and effective in the early rounds, establishing his rhythm and dictating the pace. However, the dynamic changed once Oguni began targeting the body with consistency. The investment downstairs gradually paid off, as Tapales appeared uncomfortable and was forced to adopt a more defensive approach for long stretches of the fight.
From there, Oguni’s timing, movement, and ring IQ allowed him to take control of key moments, neutralizing Tapales’ offense and securing rounds down the stretch.
The bout served as the co-feature of the 12th edition of Treasure Boxing, Tokyo’s annual boxing event promoted by former world champion Masayuki Ito. The card is headlined by the clash between René Santiago and Masataka Taniguchi.
Notably, Tapales entered the bout under less-than-ideal circumstances, having come in 40 grams over the contracted weight at Friday’s weigh-in. Despite the minor infraction, the fight was allowed to proceed as scheduled.
With the win, Oguni claims one of the most significant victories of his recent career and re-enters the conversation in the super bantamweight division, while Tapales suffers a setback in his push toward another world title opportunity.