MANILA – Filipino Jhack “El Capitan” Tepora got a chance to engage in a world title fight after defeating Mexican Edivaldo Ortega to claim the WBA interim featherweight title on Sunday in Malaysia.
The Cebuano took Ortega down via technical knockout in Round 9 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.
Now Tepora can challenge Mexican Leo Santa Cruz, holder of the WBA regular world featherweight title, later this year.
Tepora worked to keep in step with Ortega in the first few rounds until he gained control in the ninth round and managed an uppercut that sent the Mexican fighter to the canvas.
Sensing the victory, Tepora went for the kill in the next sequence – unloading a 1-2 combination followed by a right straight that forced the referee to end the match.
“Pangarap ko talagang maging world champion at malapit nang matupad iyon,” Tepora said. “Si Senator (Manny) Pacquiao talaga ang inspirasyon ko para abutin iyong pangarap ko.”
The 25-year-old Tepora kept his record unblemished – 22 victories with 17 knockout wins. Ortega’s slate dropped to 26 wins, two losses and one draw with 10 stoppages.
In the undercard bouts, Juan Miguel Elorde continued his winning ways with a third-round stoppage win against Thai Ratchanon Sawangsoda in their nontitle super bantamweight clash. Jay-ar Inson also scored a unanimous-decision win over Australian Terry Tzouramanis.
Vincent Astrolabio was defeated by Japanese Yuki Strong Kobayashi while Jayar Magboo suffered a second-round stoppage loss to Australian George Kambosos Jr. Harmonito dela Torre was also unsuccessful in his match against Chinese fighter Yongqiang Yang./PN
