New boxing gym opens for fighters with big dreams

Boxing trainer Jerald “Jing-jing” Tepora delivers a short message during the formal opening of the Tepora Boxing Gym Cebu in Lilo-an town, northern Cebu on Sept. 16. | Contributed Photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A new haven for aspiring boxers recently opened its doors to discover talents in north Cebu.

The Tepora Boxing Gym Cebu of well-known Cebuano boxing trainer Jerald “Jing-jing” Tepora officially opened to the public on Sept. 16.

The gym is situated in Barangay Tiwasan Catarman in Lilo-an town, north Cebu.

Tepora, a former trainer of Omega Boxing Gym told CDN Digital that the newly-opened gym will accept aspiring boxers ages 15 and above who want to follow the footsteps of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.

“As a boxing coach ug tag-iya ani nga boxing gym, ang pangandoy nako ang maka produce ug world champion puhon,” Tepora told CDN Digital.

“Modawat nako ug mga boxer karon nga gusto mag professional. Among target next year maka produce mi ug lain nga professional boxer.”

Tepora’s most promising prospect to date is former WBC youth super flyweight champion Jahleel Payao.

Payao has a promising record of 16 wins with nine knockouts with only one defeat. However, Payao hasn’t fought since 2017, but he’s already making his way back into his old fighting form under Tepora’s supervision.

“Salig kaayo ko sa akong pag obserbar niya karon. Mas nagka anam siya ug ka beterano base sa mga sparring niya sa uban boxers,” said Tepora of Payao’s progress.

Currently, Tepora is training 14 amateur boxers mostly from Lilo-an and up north.

The spanking new gym according to Tepora, is the fruit of years as a boxing trainer.  | contributed photo

Tepora also added that he is willing to train and manage professional boxers who don’t have promoters as long as they remain disciplined and determined.

“Modawat ko ug mga professional boxers nga walay manager or promoter. Ang sabot lang namo gyud kay ilaha kong i respetar as ilahang trainer, disiplinado sila sa training ug di sila magpabadlong,” added Tepora.

The boxing gym was the fruit of Tepora’s labor. He said that he spent his savings from his stints in Japan and Malaysia to build his long-time dream.

Also, it was made possible by his partner, Mark Evans who helped him put up the boxing gym.

Tepora is the brother of former interim world champion Jhack “El Kapitan” Tepora and Big Yellow Boxing Gym’s chief trainer Christopher “Ping-ping” Tepora.

“Kana akong partner nga si Mark Evans, naa na siya daghan connection sa boxing sa gawas. Paningkamotan namo nga among mga boxers ma rated diri sa Pilipinas puhon para maka duwa nami ug dagko nga fights,” Tepora said.     /rcg