AFTER making some noise in the past few weeks, the proposed all-Filipino fight between Jeo Santisima and Jhack Tepora that had hardcore boxing fans salivating is officially dead.
?We tried to propose it with our sponsors and TV but no one is interested as both are not known yet. Santisima just created noise recently after his sensational KO win in his first time out as supporting main event in a Pinoy Pride card shown worldwide and in national TV. It?s an interesting fight locally, particularly in Cebu, and for the boxing purists, but it?s just a small fight for the bigger audience,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told SunStar Cebu.
Aldeguer said that they are very interested in a fight with Tepora after Santisima?s first-round knockout of Goodluck Mrema in Pinoy Pride 41. Incidentally, Tepora was also in attendance to enjoy the show and so was his promoter and manager Omega Boxing Pro Sports International (OPSI) president Pio Paulo Castillo.
?Hopefully, Tepora comes up with a sensational win against the Mexican and more significant fights as planned and Santisima builds his name up more, then we will try again to propose it to our TV partners and sponsors from our end,? said Aldeguer.
Tepora, ranked 12th in the World Boxing Organization (WBO), was already upbeat about a fight against Santisima, but now he is left with no opponent and is disappointed.
?I?ll just wait for the decision of my manager,? said Tepora. ?It?s a waste because I really wanted to fight in an ALA show.?
Aldeguer explained that ABS-CBN isn?t interested in an all-Filipino fight between two promising prospects but rather making more Filipino world champions. The fact that both Santsima and Tepora aren?t household names like Donnie Nietes, Milan Melindo and Mark Magsayo also hurt their chances.
?On a higher level of boxing business that revolves around sponsors and TV, it makes no sense as both are just up-and-coming fighters and both are Filipinos who have not proven anything yet. For them it does not make sense,? he said. ?On a smaller and local scale, it?s an interesting fight especially for the little part of the Cebu boxing fans, media and the boxing purists.?
Aldeguer, however, didn?t dismiss the possibility of the fight happening, when both fighters gain more experience and build up their names to the casual boxing fans.
?We hope to make interesting fights happen in the future, if the circumstances are right for both parties, and if it would be good for Philippine boxing in general, not just for a few people who want to see the fight happen for the wrong reasons.? (EKA)
