MANILA, Philippines - Jack Tepora made a statement in his first international fight as a pro, knocking out Lusanda Komanisi in two rounds at the Orient Theatre in East London, South Africa on Friday, September 22 (Saturday Manila time).
Tepora (21-0, 16 knockouts) had shown talent and ability since turning pro 5 years ago but had been matched lightly at home. The 24-year-old from Cebu City showed he was a prospect to be taken seriously after putting Komanisi (21-4, 18 KOs) out and ending his 9-fight winning streak.
The knockout came as the southpaw Tepora landed a right hook behind the ear of Komanisi, sending the local fighter crashing onto his back. The referee stopped the fight as Komanisi fell after attempting to stand up.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jack Tepora knocks out Lusanda Komanisi in the second round in South Africa <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/boxing?src=hash">#boxing</a> (H/T to Colin Nathan) <a href="https://t.co/GG9IMRw3jG">pic.twitter.com/GG9IMRw3jG</a></p>— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryansongalia/status/911321123991646214">September 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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"He has power," Tepora tells Rappler of Komanisi after winning the vacant World Boxing Organization Inter-Continental featherweight title, adding "The Lord is my key." Tepora said he was ready for a world title shot after the win but would leave it up to his promoter to decide.
South African trainer Colin Nathan, who had watched the fight on television, was impressed with what he saw from Tepora.
"Thought he won the first but was over too early to see his true potential," opined Nathan, who trains former world champions Hekkie Budler and Moruti Mthalane. "But his timing and power is really, really good.
"I think he has a bright future if brought along carefully."
Tepora is promoted by Omega Pro Sports International and trained by Jinggoy Junco and his brother Jellyper "Jing-jing" Tepora.
In an interview with this writer last year, Tepora said he is one of seven children, the son of a tricycle driver. As a child he collected trash along the roads in Tiwasan Catarman, Cebu for 30 pesos a day.
He described his amateur career as consisting of about 100 fights and winning two golds and a bronze in national tournaments. He represented the Philippines in tournaments in Hong Kong and Pakistan as part of the national team. – Rappler.com
