Marlon Tapales may have suffered a defeat in the boxing ring, losing his two world title belts to Japan’s Naoya Inoue, but the Filipino boxer’s golden heart remained intact.
Despite the setback, Tapales endeared himself even more to Lanao Del Norte folks as he generously donated to his community hundreds of sacks of rice, which were distributed by Barangay officials in Maranding, Kapatagan.
Expressing its gratitude, the SK Maranding Kapatagan official page posted in the local dialect, “With our whole heart, we thank you for the rice we have received. We will never forget the love and happiness you showed us. Your kindness has given us light and inspiration.”
“From the Barangay officials, SK officials, thank you so much Tapales family for your love and grace.”
Tapales’ official social media account was flooded with posts thanking him and his family for the donation.
“Ganyan ang tunay na champion, champion ka rin ng masa,” commented Boss G. Barber.
Despite his recent loss to Inoue via a 10th-round knockout in Tokyo, Japan, where he surrendered his WBC and WBO 122-kg. belts, Tapales reportedly received a substantial payday for the unification bout.
Sean Gibbons, Tapales’ promoter from MP Promotions, did not disclose the exact amount, but assured that the boxer and his family’s future is now secure.
Gibbons reportedly mentioned to SPIN columnist Homer Sayson that Tapales “will be able to build or buy a house now and take care of his family.”
In an interview with Sayson, Gibbons expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It’s a thrill for me seeing people’s lives changed. I’m helping myself and helping other people like Manny Pacquiao and my fighters, and it’s very satisfying.”
And Tapales certainly knows how to pay it forward.