TEPORA SQUANDERS PURSE AND A RARE CAREER BREAK IN THE US
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 Jan 2019
LAS VEGAS ? Jhack Tepora?s first title defense of his interim World Boxing Association Featherweight crown was postponed indefinitely after he failed to hurdle the scale Friday afternoon here.
Tepora, who totes a 22-0 win-loss record with 17 knockouts, was set to rumble against Hugo Ruiz in a 12-round opening fight of the Manny Pacquiao-Adrien Broner Showtime pay-per-view broadcast on Saturday here.
Joe Ramos, chief executive officer of MP Promotions, revealed that the WBA decided to cancel Tepora?s title fight ?to protect him from possible harm.?
The cancellation, Ramos bared, was approved by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
During the weigh-in, Tepora was 5.5 pounds over the 126-pound weight limit.
Accordingly, Tepora hadn't eaten solid food for three days and was limited to consuming plain water.
Ruiz breezed through the scale, weighing 125 pounds.
?Tepora?s title defense was postponed. It was done to ensure the boxer?s safety. It was not his fault as his team encountered a problem in securing a US visa. He arrived late, just about a week before the scheduled fight,? Ramos claimed.
Ramos further said Tepora was lucky he wasn?t stripped of his WBA interim Featherweight championship belt despite his failure to make the weight.
Tepora won the WBA interim Featherweight plum against Edivaldo Ortega via a ninth round technical knockout on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao-Lucas Matthysse title duel July last year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
After his victory, Tepora ballooned to around 160 pounds allegedly due to lack of discipline.
Tomorrow?s fight was supposedly Tepora?s maiden appearance in the United States.
For his failure to make the mandatory weight limit, Tepora squandered not only the rare opportunity to showcase his boxing skills before the US fans but, above all, he literally kisses his 150,000 US$ guaranteed prize goodbye.
Photo: Jhack Tepora (L) shakes hands with Hugo Ruiz during Friday's weighin at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
Sun, 27 Apr 2025Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Home Teams Rule the Day
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Marlon Tapales Makes Weight for WBC International Title Fight in Gensan
Sat, 26 Apr 2025WELTERWEIGHT ERIC TUDOR TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER KEVIN JOHSON IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ FROM THUNDER STUDIOS AND LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank vs Benn: Like Father Like Son
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Misses Weight Ahead of Highly Anticipated Benn Clash
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Rafael Espinoza: “I’m Going To Steal The Show On May 4!”
Sat, 26 Apr 2025CO-PROMOTER OF TONIGHT'S ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ SAYS FIRST EVENT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
Sat, 26 Apr 2025