TEPORA WINS TOUGHEST FIGHT AGAINST KOMANISI WITH SENSATIONAL 2ND ROUND KNOCKOUT
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 23 Sep 2017
CEBU ? Undefeated rising Filipino featherweight star Jhack 'El Capital' Tepora (21-0-0, 16KOs) has put the boxing world on notice after his sensational second round knockout of highly regarded South African power puncher Lusanda Komanisi (21-4-0, 18KOs) at the Orient Theatre in East London, South Africa Friday night (Saturday dawn in Manila) to win the vacant WBO Inter-continental featherweight title.
The heavy handed Tepora, 24, and Komanisi, nicknamed 'Schoolboy', exchanged bombs after bombs as long as the fight lasted until a short right cross by Tepora hit Komanisi's left temple that sent the South African literally flying, with both his feet up in the air, on the way to the canvas. The referee stopped the contest when Komanisi fell to the canvas again after trying to beat the count.
Tepora, a bemedalled amateur, moved to featherweight after winning regional titles in the super bantamweight division where he captured the WBO Asia-Pacific Youth and the WBO Oriental titles. He will now enter the top ten WBO rankings in the featherweight division joining Filipino contenders Mark Magsayo (No. 2), Genesis Servania (No. 4) and Albert Pagara (No. 12). The champion of the division is Mexican-American Oscar Valdez who will defend his title against Servania today in Tucson, Arizona.
?We got a call from South Africa offering Jhack to take on Komanisi,? James Osorio of OPSI, Tepora's handlers, told Philboxing earlier. ?We accepted the fight because we want to know how Jhack would perform on the road. That's a test to see if he really has it. If he wins against Komanisi then we will start positioning him up for a world title.?
Komanisi's handlers had the same mentality. Ayanda Matiti, Komanisi's promoter, told Dispatch Live before the fight: ?We will have to make sure that he [Komanisi] engages in bouts against formidable opponents to accelerate his title conquest... We know of the danger posed by Filipino boxers but we believe that Komanisi has to beat these kind of boxers if he wants to challenge for a world title.?
Komanisi earlier had two fights with tough Filipino stylish boxer Roli Gasca, winning the first by split decision and the rematch by 5th round knockout. Both fights were for the IBO world featherweight title.
In a battle of two rising prospects and two power punchers, it was the visiting Tepora who came out with a scintillating performance. He will now come home a conquering hero and the whole boxing world opens up for him.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Donaire back in Cebu
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 23 Jan 2026MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 23 Jan 2026Four Pinoys in line for title shots
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 23 Jan 2026After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 23 Jan 2026Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
Fri, 23 Jan 2026SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
Thu, 22 Jan 2026Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
Thu, 22 Jan 2026KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
Wed, 21 Jan 2026Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 21 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 21 Jan 2026