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Philippines, 05 Dec 2024 |
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Second Overtime: Jhack Tepora puts weight issues behind as road to redemption continues (PHOTOS) By Homer D. Sayson PhilBoxing.com Sat, 21 Dec 2019  Jhack Tepora and Oscar Escandon at Friday's weighin. CHICAGO -- According to weather.com, the sun will rise with a glorious smile at Ontario, California this Saturday. It almost always does in that side of paradise some 37 miles away from the glitz and glam of Los Angeles. The lovely forecast isn't just another day in the life of Jhack Tepora. This day is an opportunity for the Cebu City fighter to dissipate the clouds that had once darkened a fast rising career. The road to redemption continues Saturday night (Sunday morning in the Philippines) at the Toyota Center when the undefeated Tepora (23-0, 17 KOs) takes on Oscar Escandon (25-5, 17 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight bout. At Friday's weigh-in, Tepora tipped the scales at a sharp 126 pounds. The weight problems that shoved him the wrong side of sports headlines nearly a year ago now seem like a distant, fading memory. Former SPIN.ph and PhilBoxing.com contributor Sean Yu, who is a close friend of Jhack and a member of Team Tepora told PhilBoxing.com that his fellow Cebuano looks ripped and feels great. "He had an amazing camp in Las Vegas and he looks forward to a good showing," said Yu, who will carry the Philippine flag when Tepora makes his ring walk. Tepora's opponent is a dangerous Columbian who is long in the tooth at age 35 but has heavy hands which suggest that he won't be a mere trampoline to Tepora's attempt to leap toward another title fight. Still, Tepora enjoys physical advantages that point to a victory. He is 4 1/2 inches taller and has a one-inch reach advantage. He should be able to keep his distance with a stiff, educated right jab and set up his powerful left, a weapon which has claimed 17 knockout victims. Per Bovada.com, Tepora is heavily favored at minus 1800 while Escandor is a plus 850 underdog. The 24 year old Tepora rose to fame with a sensational 9th round TKO win over Edivaldo Ortega to capture the WBA interim featherweight title on July 15, 2018 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. But his chance at further acclaim hit the curb when he failed to make weight as an undercard feature during Manny Pacquiao's easy demolition of Adrien Broner last January 19, 2019 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Once a smashing hit, Tepora's march to a championship prominence was stained with misses. Missed focus. Misdirection of talent. Mishandling of adversity. But that is all in the past. It's a new day and Jhack Tepora can see clearly now. 
Team Tepora pose for posterity. ...Jhack easily makes weight and stares down Oscar Escandor (top photo) Editor's note: The author is a regular columnist at SPIN.ph. He is the former U.S. editor of NBA.com Philippines and has covered the NBA since 1993. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.  |
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