Team Astrolabio relishes chance to spar with world champ Marlon Tapales

One-time world title challenger and WBC no.1 bantamweight contender Vincent Astrolabio is raring to test his mettle against two-division champion Marlon Tapales.

Astrolabio, 19-4 with 14 knockouts, has been tapped by Tapales' handler JC Manangquil to spar with Tapales next month in Baguio for the latter's preparation for his undisputed super bantamweight showdown with Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue in December.

For Astrolabio, it is both a chance to improve and help his fellow Filipino prizefighter.

"I thank Team Tapalaes and JC Manangquil for getting me as a sparring partner of champ Marlon Tapales. This is huge for me. I will do everything I can to help Tapales for his upcoming. We wish for him to be victorious," Astrolabio told GMA News Online.

Astrolabio is coming off an eleventh-round stoppage over Nawaphon Kaikanha in a title eliminator last August. According to his coach Nonoy Neri, sparring with Tapales would be a great experience for his ward especially since they are headed to another world title shot.

"I received a call from JC Manangquil. We talked about having Astrolabio help Tapales spar in Baguio. He was tapped as a sparring partner," Neri revealed in an interview on Sparring Sessions.

"That it is a good opportunity for us and that will add to Astrolabio's experience because Tapales is a really good fighter."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News