Tepora ready for the big time

CEBU, Philippines — After getting a jolt of energy from his victory in South Africa four days ago, Omega Gym's Jhack 'El Capitan' Tepora now trains his sights on a higher goal and that is to face the best in the featherweight division and fight for a world championship.

Last Saturday at the Orient Theatre in East London, South Africa, Tepora scored a smashing second-round knockout of hometown fighter Lusanda Komanisi to clinch the WBO Intercontinental featherweight title.

With an improved 21-0 record spiked with 16KOs, Tepora is now up to bigger challenges.

“I think I have proven that I am a world title contender after that win. Hopefully I get bigger fights most especially a world title shot,” said Tepora in a press conference yesterday at the Abuhan Dos restaurant. “I want to face the strongest. I am just here waiting. If given a chance, I want to be Oscar Valdez's ( WBO champion) next challenger.”

With odds stacked against him, the 24-year-old Tepora stunned the partisan crowd after he flattened Komanisi with a brutal right hook to the head in the dying seconds of rounds two. The South African crashed on the canvass and failed to answer the referee's count, hence, the stoppage.

“I went there (South Africa) knowing that people are giving me a little chance of winning. It was my first fight outside the country but my confidence is always high. I believe in my trainers and my preparation. I trained for weeks in Baguio City together with the Philippine team that is why I can say that I am well equipped coming to that fight,” added Tepora, who previously held the WBO Asia-Pacific Youth and WBO Oriental super bantamweight belts.

Omega's head trainer Julius Junco said Tepora looked incredible in his debut in the 126-pound weight class and that his ward is now ready for the bigtime.

“Moving up weight, I saw the increase in his power. Jhack is also an intelligent fighter. There is still a lot to improve but I think he is now ripe for a world title fight,” said Junco."I believe in him and we are ready whoever we face next. Featherweight is a stacked division, but I think Jhack belongs there. We are just waiting for the update in the rankings, but WBO officials already assured us that he will be in the top 10."

Omega Sports Promotions International Vice President Jerome Calatrava  said the plan is for Tepora to defend his crown later this year. He also revealed that big offers are coming after Tepora's impressive triumph including that of Bob Arum's Top Rank.

"We are receiving big offers for Jhack. An official from Top Rank even expressed his interest in signing Jhack," said Calatrava. "For now, we are weighing our options but we know that Jhack has captured the attention of the boxing world." (FREEMAN)