SAN ANTONIO – The resurrection continues for the Filipino boxing scene.

The fighting proud nation crowned its second major titlist in 2023 after Marlon Tapales earned an upset split decision victory over Murodjon ‘MJ’ Akhmadaliev to win the WBA and IBF junior featherweight titles. Uzbekistan's Akhmadaliev won by a surprisingly lopsided score of 118-110 on one card, while Tapales claimed matching scores of 115-113 to become a two-division titlist in their DAZN-aired co-feature Saturday evening from Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas.

The all-southpaw title struggled to catch fire. Neither fighter evolved beyond their jab in a slow-paced opening round, the first piece of real-time fight action for Akhmadeliev since the 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist suffered a broken left fist in a June 25 12th round knockout of Ronny Rios at this very location. Tapales took advantage of the hesitant titlist and landed the cleaner blows even in limited action.

Tapales—a former WBO bantamweight ttlist who lost the belt nearly six years ago—landed a pair of power shots in round two, the first significant punches thrown in the fight. Akhamadeliev didn’t immediately respond although he was more active in round three as he managed to close the gap.

Akhmadaliev caught the attention of Tapales with a right hook off the jab in the final minute of round four. It was by far his standout moment to that point, with little else in the way of sustained action coming from either fighter in round five.

The 36-year-old Tapales shoulder rolled a long left hand by Akhmadaliev after a stiff jab by the defending champ early in round six. Akhmadaliev committed more to his punches, driving back Tapales with the force of a partially blocked right hook. Tapales fought in reverse as Akhmadaliev went on the hunt late in the round.

Akhmadaliev was fully in his offensive groove at the start of the second half of the contest. A pair of straight left hands drove Tapales into his own corner early round seven. Tapales momentarily stopped punching as Akhmadaliev pumped his jab with conviction. An overhand left by the defending champ caught Tapales on the chin though not at full impact as the former bantamweight titlist was able to remain upright.

Tapales fought with greater purpose in round eight. Unfortunately, it didn’t produce favorable results as Akhmadaliev proved difficult to hit even at close quarters.

Akhmadaliev boxed from the outside early in round nine, trying to draw in Tapales and make him pay with counter shots. Tapales didn’t take the bait but also didn’t land or even throw anything to force the defending champion to retreat. Akhmadaliev cornered Tapales late in the round but couldn’t rattle his challenger.

A more potent attack came at the start of round ten. Akhmadaeliev let loose a pair of left hands against a reluctant Tapales. The Uzbek southpaw launched an overhand left that sounded better than its actual impact. Tapales tripled up on the jab at the one-minute mark, though unable to land. Akhmadaliev drove Tapales to the ropes but missed with an overhand left. Tapales fought behind a high guard as Akhmadaliev fired off a left hand and right hook at the ten-second mark.

Tapales outworked Akhmadaliev for much of the eleventh round. Akhmadaliev connected with a left hand towards the end of the round but after the determined challenger put in some of his best work.

Akhmadaliev fought with a sense of urgency in the twelfth and final round. Tapales was forced to fend off a series of left hands over the top by the unbeaten champ but made it to the final bell at which point his team entered the ring to begin what they felt was a celebratory moment.

They had to sweat out a split decision that was met with harsh jeers from the crowd who felt Akhmadaliev did enough to defend his crown. Instead, it ended the three-year reign for the Uzbek southpaw who fell to 11-1 (8KOs). Gone is the possibility of challenging the winner of the July 25 Stephen Fulton-Naoya Inoue WBC/WBO junior featherweight title fight.

That opportunity now goes to Tapales, who advanced to 37-3 (19KOs) with his fourth straight victory.

“We will be ringside for that fight,” Sean Gibbons, Tapales’ co-promoter told DAZN’s Chris Mannix.

The evening’s headliner pits local hero Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (17-0, 11KOs) and Mexico’s Cristian Gonzalez (15-1, 6KOs) in a scheduled 12-round bout with the vacant WBO flyweight title at stake.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox