AT THE young age of 20, Jhack Tepora has certainly turned a lot of heads, showing some flashes of brilliance that could make him the next big thing in Philippine boxing.
One of those who took notice of Tepora’s great potential is no less than Gerry Peñalosa, one of the country’s former multi-division world champion.
“That kid has a lot of potential. He has what it takes to reach far,” said Peñalosa in a talk with this writer last Wednesday night.
Peñalosa said he was immediately impressed the first time he saw Tepora fight in Makati some three years ago.
“When I saw him, I immediately asked around who he was. He has the tools to become a superstar,” said Peñalosa.
Peñalosa was impressed with Tepora’s speed but what he liked the most about the Cebuano boxers is his footwork.
“He has a great footwork. Footwork for me is very important because a boxer without a good footwork is nothing,” said Peñalosa, a former WBC super flyweight champion and WBO bantamweight champion.
For Peñalosa, punching power is something that the prized ward of the Omega Boxing Gym has to improve.
“Im not saying he’s got no power but he needs to work on it more,” said Peñalosa.
Tepora, a native of Liloan town, northern Cebu, has yet to taste a single loss in 17 fights.
“I want him get tested. I’m looking forward to see him in bigger fights,” Peñalosa.
Tepora is due for a tune-up fight against a still-unannounced opponent.
The tune-up fight will be on June 11 in One Mango Mall in uptown Cebu City, according to Chad Canates, vice president of Omega Pro Sports International.
“It will be a nine-fight card and will be free of charge,” Canares said.
After the tune-up fight, Tepora will defend his WBO Youth Asia-Pacific title for the second edition of the “Who’s Next?” Pro Boxing Series.
“We are still finalizing the full card but for sure, this is going to be an exciting event,” said Canares.
Tepora, who has 12 knockout victories, earned his current belt by pulling off a fifth-round technical knockout win over Boholano Jason Tinampay in the inaugural edition of “Who’s Next?” last March 6 at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.