Philippines, 03 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Second Overtime: Jhack Tepora puts weight issues behind as road to redemption continues (PHOTOS)


PhilBoxing.com



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.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • No issues with fight ref
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.