Jhack eyes No. 18
Undefeated Jhack Tepora defends WBO youth bantamweight belt, eyes 18th straight win
UNDEFEATED Jhack Tepora of Omega Boxing Gym will defend his WBO Asia Pacific Youth Super Bantamweight title in the main event of Who’s Next? Pro Boxing Series at the Robinsons Galleria tomorrow.
Tepora (17-0, 12KOs) faces Iligan City’s Bryan Capangpangan (10-2-1, 7KOs) in a 10-rounder fight. This will be the first title defense for the 23-year-old Tepora after winning the belt early this year in the first edition of Who’s Next? Pro Boxing Series.
“I won’t promise a knockout, but I will really give my best to give boxing fans a great fight,” Tepora said in Cebuano in a press conference at the Pino Filipino Cuisine Restaurant in Lahug, Cebu City yesterday.
During the press conference, Chad Cañares, the vice president for Promotions of Omega Pro Sports International announced its partnership with TV network GMA for the upcoming event, which will be free and open to the public.
“GMA will be covering it and will be airing it a week after on GMA NewsTV,” he said.
Cañares said that they are taking one step at a time with the partnership. The network, however, has also shown interest in long-term partnership.
Boxing fans will be in for a treat as this Saturday fight card will feature a total of nine bouts including Kenny Demecillo of Omega Boxing Gym, who is the WBF Asia Pacific bantamweight champion, and former Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga, who will make his pro debut.
Demecillo (10-3-2, 7KOs) will defend his title against Bukidnon’s Rambo Lagos (8-12, 5KOs) in 10 rounds of boxing in the 118lbs division. 2012 Olympian Barriga fights Melvin Manangquil (1-1-2, 1KO) of Manila in the 108lbs division.
The native of Panao, Davao del Norte Barriga promised to give Cebuano boxing fans a good show in his first pro fight.
“There is a difference from amateur and pro, I have trained and did some adjustments. The fans can expect a good fight. I will do my best in this one,” Barriga said in Cebuano.
Undefeated Christian Araneta (11-0, 9KOs) of Omega Boxing Gym faces journeyman from Bukidnon Charlie Cabilla (1418-4, 2KOs) in the 108-pound division.