Tepora braces for war in title defense tonite
WBO Asia Pacific
Youth super bantamweight champion Jhack ‘The Golden Boy’ Tepora (17-0, 12KOs) of the Omega Boxing Gym must brace himself for an all-out war with
his challenger Bryan Capangpangan (10-2,
7KOs) promising to deliver an upset in their
12-round bout headlining the ‘Who’s Next?’ Pro Boxing Series presented by Omega Pro Sports International at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu atrium tonight.
Trouble though set in early for Tepora, who had a difficulty in making the regulatory weight limit of 122 lbs. during the official weigh-in yesterday at Robinsons Place Cebu. He eventually shed out the excess two pounds, while Capangpangan came in one and a half pound lighter.
“I admit that it was a mistake on my part. I promise that it would never happen again. I was careless and that almost cost me my belt,” said Tepora, who shrugged off the idea that his performance for tonight will be affected by the grueling weight cut.
The 23-year-old Tepora will be making the first defense of the WBO regional belt he claimed after a spectacular fifth round KO of Arnel Tinampay during the maiden edition of the ‘Who's Next?' slugfest last March 6 at Robinsons Galleria.
“My condition is still great and I have no doubt that I would keep my belt. He (Capangpangan) is a tough opponent for me but I will prevail either by knockout or decision.”
Capangpangan, for his part, said he has Tepora all figured out.
“I know his strengths and weaknesses. I studied him carefully and I think my style will beat his style,” said the Iligan City-native fighter. “I don’t want to waste this chance of winning a regional title. I am here to win.”
“I am a pressure type of fighter. I love to brawl and I think he will have a hard time dealing with my aggressiveness,” added Capangpangan, who is on a two-fight winning streak capped with a dominating unanimous decision victory over Michael Bastasa last March 27 in Iligan City.
In the supporting bout of the slambang show powered by the all-new 2016 Hyundai Tucson, Kenny Demecillo (10-3, 7KOs) will put his World Boxing Federation Asia Pacific bantamweight crown on the line against Mindanao brawler Eugene ‘Rambo’ Lagos (8-1 5KOs).
“I heard my opponent likes to go toe-to-toe and I would surely love that. If that happens, then there would surely be a knockout,” said Demecillo.
In the other featured match, former Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga will make his anticipated pro debut against Melvin Manangquil (1-2-1, 1KO), while undefeated knockout artist Chistian Araneta (110, 9KOs) will risk his perfect record against Charlie Cabillal.