JHACK Tepora scored a rousing second-round stoppage of former International Boxing Organization (IBO) featherweight king Lusanda Komanisi at the Orient Theatre in East London, South Africa yesterday dawn on what was the biggest win of his career so far.
The 23-year-old Tepora fulfilled his promise of ending the fight early after landing a right hook on Komanisi?s head. The South African dropped like a sack of potatoes from the vicious shot just before the bell. He tried to beat the count but was too dazed and wobbly, which forced the referee to end the fight.
?I?m very happy with my win because it was unexpected. He?s no pushover, he?s a world champion,? Tepora, the new World Boxing Organization (WBO) International featherweight champion, told SunStar Cebu. ?I really did what I promised because I felt that I could lose if it went the distance.?
Tepora remained unbeaten with 21-0 with 16 knockouts, while Komanisi dropped to 21-4 with 18 knockouts.
Tepora, rated ninth in the WBO super bantamweight rankings, is expected to break into the ratings of the featherweight division, wherein he expects to stay.
?I didn?t have a hard time making the weight. I also believe that I had more power at featherweight,? he said.
Tepora believes that he?s ready for the bigger fish at featherweight, with his sights locked in at WBO featherweight king Oscar Valdez.
?I?m always ready. I don?t get ready, I stay ready. My manager and my coaches will decide on who I fight. I?ll fight anyone they place in front of me especially Oscar Valdez,? he said.
Valdez successfully defended his belt yesterday against Filipino Genesis Servania by unanimous decision yesterday in Tucson, Arizona.
Omega Pro Sports International president Pio Paulo Castillo is confident that Tepora is ready for a world title.
?We dont know yet what?s next because we wanna enjoy and savor this victory. We would want to sit down with him for his next direction because we always involve the fighters in our directions and deciding which one to take. At the end of the day, it is their career. As for me, i would like him to fight for the world title.? (EKA)
