JACK Tepora is undoubtedly one of the best super bantamweights in the country but somehow his career has never catapulted to new heights and he has been reduced to fighting in small boxing shows most of his career.
The talented 22-year-old up-and-comer, however, is given a golden opportunity to change that, as he?s a win away from possibly breaking into the world rankings with a win on March 6 in the main event of Omega Pro Sports International?s new boxing series ?Who?s Next?? powered by Hyundai at the Robinsons Galleria.
?This a huge opportunity for me. I?ll do my best to win so that I will break into the world rankings,? said Tepora, who did three rounds of sparring with slugger Kenny Demecillo last Sunday in a public sparring at the Robinsons Galleria.
Tepora, a former amateur standout, will be fighting for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific super bantamweight belt against a yet-to-be-named opponent.
A win should earn Tepora a slot in WBO?s super bantamweight ratings, which has Filipino star Nonito Donaire Jr. as the current titleholder.
?I think I need a few more fights before I?ll be ready for a world title,? said Tepora, who is coming off a unanimous decision over Andrew Palas last month.
Tepora is unbeaten with an impressive 16-0 slate along with 11 knockouts.
?I don?t expect a knockout, It?ll just come. What?s important is a win,? he said.
Former world title challenger Vergilio Silvano (20-6-1, 12 KOs), Jerry Castroverde (7-2, 4 KOs), Allan Villanueva (2-0, 2 KOs), Filjun Taneo (4-1, 2 KOs), RR Borbon (1-0-1, 1 KO) and Mark Vicelles are also seeing action in the first show of ?Who?s Next?? – a brainchild of Omega Pro Sports International vice-president Chad Ca?ares, Omega Pro Sports International president Pio Paolo Castillo and Omega Pro Sports International chairman Pio Castillo Jr.
Jack?s older brother and trainer Christopher ?Ping-Ping? Tepora has seen a lot of improvement from his boxers since acquiring a new strength and conditioning team – Dr. Rhoel Dejano and physical therapist Jop Gallardo.
?It has been great. Their speed and their body are different now,? said Christopher.
The older Tepora is also said that this fight is the start of Jack?s rise to stardom.
?We prepared really well. This fight will be the start. He will enter the ratings with a win.?
