TEPORA SET SIGHTS ON THE WORLD TITLE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 26 Sep 2017
Jhack Tepora scored an amazing second round TKO of South African Lusanda Komanisi at the Orient Theatre in East London, South Africa. Tepora (21-0, 16 KOs) has a magnificent KO rate of 76% stopped Komanisi (21-4, 18 KOs) who also owns a high 72% KO rate and has knocked out 8 of his last 9 opponents before the Cebu City fighter disposed him in a couple of rounds to wrest the vacant WBO intercontinental featherweight championship.
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It was Tepora's first fight outside the Philippines and it seems Komanisi would be an ideal match with good credentials and a cheering hometown crowd behind him. The match was one giant leap for Tepora with a tremendous knockout of the South African heavy puncher. A single smashing right hook unleashed by "El Capitan" in round 2 dropped Komanisi. He was able to stand up to his feet, but he was wobbling like a drunken fighter so the referee saved him from further punishment.
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Tepora is setting his target on the world title and he plans to face no less than WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez who recently defended his title against previously unbeaten Genesis Servania. ?I?ll fight anyone they place in front of me especially Oscar Valdez,? said Tepora as quoted by SunStar Cebu. Valdez just recently won over Genesis Servania by unanimous decision in his title defense.
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Omega president Pio Paulo Castillo said they would want to savor and enjoy firts Tepora's success. Later they will sit down with the Cebuano boxer for his next fight because they would always involve their fighters in charting their directions and in deciding which one to take. "At the end of the day, it is their career. As for me, i would like him to fight for the world title,? said Castillo.
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HBO's veteran broadcast analyst Jim Lampley observes that the Gennady Golovkin who fought Canelo Alvarez is not the same fighter who annihilated 23 straight opponents by TKO or KO. Golovkin has already fought the full twelve round distance in his last two fights. Some boxing experts believe that he is now a step slower, no longer as accurate a puncher and becoming an easy target.
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Lampley is one of the experts who thinks that Golovkin, almost 36-years-old, is starting to slow with age. Although the HBO analyst felt Golovkin performed enough action to win, Lampley has doubted GGG's ability to win during their rematch. "I've learned that Gennady Golovkin is deteriorating before our very eyes. I believe that he's slipping and I did not really see it that clearly in the Jacobs fight as I saw it this time. Most particularly his unbelievable footwork, his ability to trap opponents and put pressure on them - isn't there any more," Lampley told BoxingScene.com.
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Jorge Linares (43-3, 27 KOs) retained WBA) lightweight crown Saturday against British Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell (17-2, 14 KOs) at the Inglewood Forum in Los Angeles, California. Regarding the most controversial twelve round split draw of Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin on Saturday in Las Vegas, the Venezuelan champ said he liked the performance of the Mexican idol.
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"I liked it a lot more than what he did against Julio Cesar Chavez. He was very fast, very agile, very strong. The only thing I did not like is that he spent too much time on the ropes," Linares told BoxingScene. "Golovkin is a very strong fighter. I think that's what made Canelo back up. I think Canelo was clever, but he spent too much time on the ropes. For me the draw was the best decision."
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Hughie Fury failed in his bid to grab the WBO heavyweight title from champion Joseph Parker in Manchester on Saturday night. Hughie was the cousin of former world champion Tyson Fury who witnessed the match at the ringside as he lost a majority decision with two judges favoring the Parker of New Zealand 118-110 while the third scored the contest a 114-114 draw.
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It was Tyson's decision to relinquish the WBO heavyweight belt for medical reasons last year which led to Hughie's try at the title and the foiled bid. Parker earned the vacant title with a victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in Auckland last December by majority decision. The fight was considered to be one of the most anticipated sporting events in New Zealand and Mexican history, because there was never been a New Zealander nor Mexican boxer who became world heavyweight champion.
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President Donald Trump cancelled a White House invitation for Golden State Warriors and it started a furor in the sporting world especially from LeBron James tweeting the president a "bum." Trump started the uproar declaring that Curry, the popular two-time MVP for the Warriors, would not be welcome at the White House for the traditional visit made by championship teams: "Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!"
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Carmelo Anthony has been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and a 2018 second round pick via Chicago. He will join reigning MVP Russell Westbrook, and the newly acquired Paul George. Anthony will waive his no-trade clause to allow the deal to materialize. The Knicks failed to deal Anthony to the Houston Rockets, his preferred team, so the 10-time All-Star?s camp added the Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers to his short listed destinations.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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