SUSANTO VOWS TO KO TEPORA
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 01 Dec 2016
MANDAUE CITY, CEBU ? It is not common to hear a visiting boxer predict an emphatic ending here in the Philippines. But Galih Susanto of Indonesia surprised everyone when he declared that he would knockout local boy Jhack Tepora inside of ten rounds.
The unbeaten Tepora (18W-0L,13KO?s) and Susanto (12W-6L-1D, 2KO's) will dispute the vacant WBO Oriental super bantamweight title on Friday December 2 at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.
The 26 year old Susanto made his statement during the press conference held Thursday at the Parkmall in Mandaue City right after the official weigh-in.
Tepora smiled and tried to control himself from laughing after Susanto?s prediction. Together with his brother and trainer Pingping Tepora, they also predicted a win, whether it was by points or by the short route.
The 23 year old Tepora (18-0,13KO?s) is the reigning WBO Asia-Pacific Youth super bantamweight titlist. Last July he defended his title by beating Bryan Capangpangan by TKO in the opening round. Tepora is also a former WBF Asia-Pacific super bantamweight titlist. If he beats Susanto, he will add a third regional belt to his collection.
When asked if he feels any pressure that he is now the face of the Omega Gym of Cebu, Tepora said that he does not feel any pressure to deliver. He feels he is just the same person, the same boxer.
Tepora also dreams of someday fighting the current WBO champion in his division, Jessie Magdaleno or the WBC champion Hozumi Hasegawa of Japan.
Susanto on the other hand is confident about his two month preparation. He once fought for the PABA superflyweight and IBF Pan-pacific super bantamweight titles but lost both times by unanimous decision in Thailand. Two years ago, Susanto lost to Marlon Tapales by unanimous decision in Davao City. Tapales is currently the WBO world champion in the bantamweight division.
Seated (L-R): Trainer Christopher Tepora, Jack Tepora, WBO supervisor Sawaeng Thaweekon, Galih Susanto and Susanto's trainer. Standing (L-R): Referee Teddy Alivio, Judge Edwin Barrientos, Judge/Referee Tony Pesons, Judge Edgar Olalo and GAB official Rolando Mendoza during Thursday's presscon at Parkmall in Mandaue City. Photo by Radhika Padriga.
During the official weigh-in, Tepora was at the division limit of 122lbs while Susanto was a pound lighter.
Omega Pro Sports International (OPSI) VP Rico Navarro said that they will use this fight as a yardstick as to where Tepora is at. They are currently talking about giving him more foreign opponents depending on his performance on Friday.
The officials for this WBO regional contest will be Supervisor Sawaeng Thaweekon (Thailand), Referee Tony Pesons and Judges Teddy Alivio, Edwin Barrientos and Edgar Olalo.
Also set to see action are Kenny Demecillo (11-3-2, 7 KOs) vs Jestoni Autida (9-5-0, 4 KOs) (Penalosa Stable) for the WBF Asia Pacific bantamweight championship, Christian Araneta (12-0, 10 KOs) vs Philip Luis Cuerdo (9-2-1, 4 KOs) (Penalosa Stable) and Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga (2-0, 1 KO) vs Rodel Kirk Pelenio (3-1-1, 2 KOs) (Ablaca Stable).
There will be six more undercard bouts. ?Who?s Next? 3? is offered free to the public at the Mandaue City Sports Complex by Omega Pro Sports International.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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