Jhack Tepora way overweight

LAS VEGAS – Jhack Tepora was in trouble from the time he left Manila last week for the defense of his WBA Interim featherweight crown.

He boarded the plane to Los Angeles overweight by 20 pounds.

The 23-year-old from Cebu, unbeaten in 22 fights as a pro, tried to burn the excess pounds for his US debut – to no avail.

On the eve of Friday’s official weigh-in, Tepora, who has won his last six fights by knockout, was six pounds over.

Overnight, he lost half a pound, nothing more to burn. He dragged his feet to the scales. His lips were  dry, his face pale.

Tepora weighed in at 131.5 pounds, way over the featherweight limit of 126. His opponent, Hugo Ruiz of Mexico, came in at 125.

The Cebuano boxer, was given two hours to make weight.

It was useless to even try.

Tepora was stricken off Saturday’s fight card. Alberto Guevarra of Mexico was called in to take his place.

No title will be at stake when Ruiz and Guevarra slug it out for 10 rounds.

Tepora blamed the very cold weather for his failure. He was to receive $50,000 but might go home empty-handed.

His fate is up in the air.