CEBU, Philippines – Just like weather patterns, there’s always a calm before the storm.
Such was the case of the undefeated Omega Gym prospect Jhack “Golden Boy” Tepora and his Boholano rival Jason Tinampay.
The two fighters were cordial to each other, but there was definitely fire in their eyes as they head into their 10-round war for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth super bantamweight title topbilling the kick-off stage of “Who’s Next? Pro Boxing Series” today at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.
The show that is open to the public for free promptly starts at 4 p.m.
“Sinukmagay na gyud ni. Kon duna man gani ma-knockout, tan-awon lang ni nato unsay mahitabo sa ring (The battle is on. If there will be knockout, let’s just wait and see what happens in the ring),” said Tepora, who sports an unblemished 16-0 record dotted with 11KOs.
In his previous match, Tepora survived a brutal 10-round war against Andrew Palas to snatch the PBF 122-pound crown last January 9 at the Borbon Sports Complex in Borbon town north of Cebu. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:
As if to show they’re primed and ready for war, Tepora and Tinampay both scaled in a 121.4 pounds during yesterday’s official weigh-in at the mall’s atrium.
“Wala pa ko kakita kon unsa siya mo-away, pero kumbati gyud ni. Wala ko ma-presyur bisan og kabalo ko nga wala pa siyay pilde. Basta sa akong bahin, paningkamotan gyud nako nga modaog (I haven’t seen yet his style, but for sure it’s going to be a great fight. I don’t feel any pressure knowing that he is unbeaten. I will just do whatever it takes to win),” said the Dagohoy, Bohol-native Tinampay. ADVERTISING
A knockout artist, Tinampay parades an 8-2 slate spiked with seven knockouts. He showed some class, albeit in a losing effort against Rimar Metuda of Sanman Boxing Club in their WBF Asia Pacific featherweight title match on September 26 last year at the Gaisano Mall in General Santos City.
Tinampay readily got back on the winning track though with a resounding TKO victory over Marjhun Tabamo last January 28 at the Getafe Cultural Center in Getafe, Bohol.
In the other featured bouts, PBA flyweight champion Vergilio Silvano (20-6-1, 12KOs) from Dalaguete, Cebu will trade leathers with Fernando ‘Batang Bato’ Ocon (13-10-1, 5KOs) of Tagbilaran City, while super featherweight contender Jerry Castroverde (7-2, 4KOs) will figure in an expected grudge rematch with Ryan Quimbo.
During their previous meeting, Castroverde eked out a split decision win over Quimbo on August 8 last year at the Minglanilla Sports Complex in Minglanilla, Cebu.
The rest of the card pits Mark Vicelles vs Ronald Cajes; Ar-ar Borbon vs Russel Rosales; Allan Villanueva vs Macmac Baribar; and Filjun Taneo vs Anthony Galigao.
The ground-breaking event is just the first of a six-part boxing series bankrolled by Omega Pro Sports International in partnership with Hyundai Tucson, Robinsons Galleria Cebu, Harley -Davidson of Cebu, Omega Pro Pain Killer and Y101 Rhythm Always First. (FREEMAN)
