Tacy Macalos Reversed a Title Defeat to Become IBF Champion
Tacy Macalos won the IBF light flyweight championship in November 1988, defeating Jum-Hwan Choi by unanimous decision at the Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines. The victory reversed the result of their first world-title meeting.
Career highlights
Born Epitacio Agapay in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, on October 28, 1965, Macalos lost his professional debut in 1984 and drew his next two bouts before recording his first victory. He later became Philippine light flyweight champion in 1986.
Choi defeated Macalos by split decision in their March 1987 championship contest in South Korea. Macalos earned a rematch and won the return meeting decisively, taking the IBF belt after twelve rounds.
The Kittikasem fights and later career
Macalos lost the championship to Muangchai Kittikasem by split decision in Bangkok on May 2, 1989. Kittikasem also won their October rematch, stopping him in the seventh round. Macalos later defeated Dodie Boy Peñalosa and continued fighting through 1994 before moving into training.
Macalos won his Philippine championship by stopping Little Baguio in Olongapo City in October 1986. Between the Choi loss and rematch, he rebuilt with five stoppage victories. After becoming world champion, he beat Seung-Yup Kang in a non-title contest. His later victory over Peñalosa came by technical decision after six rounds at the Cuneta Astrodome in February 1993.
Sources
- PhilBoxing / Maloney Samaco: Macalos’s career and championship rematches
- BoxRec: Macalos’s title reign and championship record
- PhilBoxing / Maloney Samaco: Macalos’s national title and comeback victories
