WHO'S NEXT 5: TEPORA TO FACE MEXICAN; ARANETA-ESPINAS REMATCH
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 16 May 2017
CEBU CITY ? In what promises to be a real treat to boxing fans, Omega Pro-Sports International's 5th edition of their 'Who's Next' boxing series pits its flagship fighter the unbeaten super bantamweight contender Jhack 'El Capitan' Tepora against Mexico super bantamweight champion Emmanuel Dominguez scheduled on July 7 at the Island City Mall in Tagbillaran City, Bohol, this was announced by newly appointed Vice-President of OPSI Jerome Calatrava during his meeting with the local media Monday night.
The fight against Dominguez is considered a step-up for Tepora whose last fight against Yon Armed of Indonesia drew criticisms from the local boxing circle after Tepora knocked out the overmatched Indonesian at the one minute mark of the first round. Tepora's WBO Oriental junior featherweight belt will be at stake.
In the co-feature bout, unbeaten puncher Christian 'The Bomb' Araneta will rematch the now world ranked Jessie Espinas with Araneta defending his WBO Oriental junior flyweight crown. Araneta (14-0-0, 12KOs) stopped Espinas (16-2-0, 11KOs) in the 8th round when they first met on Sep. 12, 2015 in Danao City. Espinas however racked up five straight victories after that loss highlighted by three victories inside Thailand that allowed him to climb into the world rankings where he is now rated No. 5 by both the WBO and WBA and No. 9 by the IBF in the junior flyweight division. Araneta also won four straight after his win against Espinas to remain undefeated and he is now ranked No. 8 by the WBO and No. 14 by the WBA. The Araneta-Espinas rematch is expected to thrill the fans as both are heavy handed and both have considerably improved since their last meeting and could potentially upstage the Tepora-Dominguez main event.
Rising super bantamweight Jhack Tepora (20-0-0, 15KOs), ranked No. 12 by the WBO, has all the makings of an elite fighter but he has yet to face a ranked contender. Taking on Dominguez is a step in that direction and will be a good gauge to see where he is at this point of his career.
Dominguez (21-5-2, 13KOs) of Aguascalientes captured the Mexico super bantamweight crown by defeating grizzled veteran Alejandro Hernandez on Sep. 30, 2016. Hernandez previously fought for the WBO world flyweight title on Sep. 30, 2008 where he lost to Omar Narvaez of Argentina. He fought for the WBO world super flyweight title against Marvin Sonsona of the Philippines that ended in a draw. Hernandez captured the Interim WBO world bantamweight title on June 14, 2014 by defeating Daniel Rosas but later Hernandez lost to Tomoki Kameda of Japan when they fought for the regular WBO world bantamweight crown on Nov. 1, 2014.
Obviously, Dominguez who is tall in his weight at 5'9?, will not be coming to the Philippines as just a B-side opponent but himself is aiming to score a decisive victory against Tepora to boost his own world title aspirations.
Two other Philippine title fights will be at stake: Jerry Castroverde (10-4-0, 5KOs) will face Crisanto Contemprato (6-2-1, 4KOs) for the vacant PBF junior lightweight title scheduled for 10 rounds and Jared Jahleel Payao (15-1-0, 9KOs) who will take on Jestoni Autida (9-7-0, 4KOs) for the PBF bantamweight title, also scheduled for 10 rounds.
OPSI Vice-President Jerome Calatrava said that venue will be at the parking lot of the Island Citi Mall but will be ticketed. ?We are going to Bohol Tuesday to finalize our set up for Who's Next 5,? Calatrava said who also informed that a formal press conference for the fight has been set for May 31.
Photo: Omega's unbeaten duo Jhack Tepora (L) and Christian Araneta (R) will headline Who's Next 5 in Bohol on July 7.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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