RSC Susanto convinced he can beat Tepora

THOUGH a clear underdog, Galih Susanto is convinced he can actually beat young unbeaten prospect Jhack Tepora and bring the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental super bantamweight back home to Indonesia.

“We are excited and ready for Friday. We came to fight and bring the title back to Indonesia,” the 26-year-old Indonesian pug, who arrived yesterday in Cebu City, said.

Susanto and Tepora will headline Ome- ga Pro Sports International’s (OPSI) “Who’s Next? 3” this Friday night at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Susanto is Tepora’s first foreign opponent and should be a good measuring stick on what level the 21-year-old upand-comer is at right now.

Susanto is as tough as nails. He has never been knocked out in his career. He has fought but lost to current WBO bantamweight king Marlon Tapales, former world champion Denkaosan Kaov- ichit and International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 10 rated super bantamweight Mike Tawatchai.

Tepora, so far, has been impressive. He is the WBO Asia-Pacfic Youth super bantamweight champion after a fifth round knockout of Jason Tinampay. He successfully defended his crown with a first round stoppage of Bryan Capangpangan.

Tepora is 18-0 with 13 knockouts, while Susanto is 12-6-1 with two knockouts.

Also featured in the boxing show that is free to the public are hard-hitting Kenny Demecillo, undefeated Christian Araneta and former Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga.

Demecillo (11-3-2, 7 KOs) trades leathers with Jestoni Autida (9-5, 4 KOs) in what should be an exciting war, Araneta (12-0, 10 KOs) is up against Philip Luis Cuerdo (9-2-1, 4 KOs) and Barriga (2-0, 1 KO) faces off with Rodel Kirk Pelenio (3-1-1, 2 KOs).