JHACK Tepora made it known to everyone that he?s ready for bigger fights, after a statement victory over Bryan Capangpangan in the main event of ?Who?s Next?? 2 last Saturday night at the Robinsons Galleria.
The 21-year-old Tepora defended his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Youth Asia-Pacific super bantamweight belt with a first-round stoppage of Capangpangan.
Capangpangan was supposed to give Tepora a tough test but it just took less than a round and four knockdowns to finish him off.
Tepora landed a crisp counter right hook that immediately sent Capangpangan to the canvas. He stood up and aggressively attacked Tepora, but that same right hook to the jaw sent him down on one knee for the second knockdown. A left to the head dropped Capangpangan for the third time. Capangpangan was floored for the fourth time with a combination. This time, referee Tony Pesons saw enough and waved off the fight in the 2:34 mark.
?I didn?t expect it (knockout). Our plan was to score points. I threw a jab and then a hook and got him,? Tepora said after the easy win.
Tepora, ranked No. 12 in the WBO, believes that he?s ready for the big league.
?I don?t intend to boast but I believe I?m ready for the next level. I want to make a name for myself,? he said.
Tepora believes that he?s ready for a world title if given an opportunity to fight for it. His target, World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight champion Hugo Ruiz.
Omega Pro Sports International (OPSI) vice-president Chad Ca?ares, however, believes that Tepora has the talent to make it big but still needs time to mature.
?He has it. But for me he still lacks maturity and he has to develop it,? he said. ?We will test him, hopefully against someone in the top 10. But that still depends if he develops his maturity.?
Tepora remained undefeated and improved to 18-0 with 13 knockouts, while Capangpangan fell to 10-3 with seven knockouts.
Grotesquely disfigured Kenny Demecillo (11-3-2, 7 KOs) got the split nod after 10 rounds of non-stop action against Rambo Lagos (8-2-2, 5 KOs) in what was the best fight of the night.
Judges Arnie Najera and Edwin Barrientos had identical scores of 96-94 for Demecillo, while judge William Ma?us thought differently and gave it 96-94 for Lagos.
The crowd loved every minute of the fight, that saw Demecillo and Lagos exchanging heavy blows all throughout. The crowd, however, didn?t like the decision and booed.
Ca?ares said that he will arrange a rematch between both boxers.
Former Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga (1-0) had an impressive pro debut with a lopsided unanimous verdict over Melvin Manangquil (1-2-2, 1 KO) in one of the featured bouts of the night.
Barriga displayed his slick boxing style, utilizing the ?shoulder roll?, totally outclassing Mangquil with scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 59-55.
Christian Araneta (12-0, 10 KOs) didn?t break a sweat as he demolished Charlie Cabilla (14-19-4, 2 KOs) in just a single round of their rematch.
In the undercard, Jimboy Haya (9-2-2, 6 KOs) stopped battle-worn veteran Fabio Marfa (25-31-4, 12 KOs), Filjun Taneo (6-1, 3 KOs) defeated Lenmar Prescillas (2-2, 1 KO) by unanimous decision, Tomjune Mangubat (5-0, 5 KOs) destroyed Anel Acebuque (5-5, 4 KOs) in three rounds, Mark Vicelles (3-0, 3 KOs) outclassed Jesrel Corabal (0-2) and Marjun Piencenaves (1-0, 1 KO) had a successful pro debut with a stunning first round knockout of Rolien Getalada (0-2).
