UNBEATEN young pugs Jhack Tepora and Christian Araneta move up to the big stage as they co-headline Who’s Next? 4 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino next month.
Tepora will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental super bantamweight title against Indonesian Yon Armed, while Araneta will take on an Indonesian, Demsi Manufoe, for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific light flyweight belt on March 18.
“This is very important for me because I’m now ranked No. 13 by the WBO. I want to improve my ranking and be in the top 10,” said Tepora.
Tepora is on the outside looking in for a world title shot and another impressive performance could see him move up the super bantamweight ladder.
“This is a really, really important fight for Jhack. He really has to defend until he gets to the top,” said Omega Pro Sports International (OPSI) president Pio Paulo Castillo. “We want to accomplish the mission as fast as possible.”
“We will see how ready he is for a world championship. We won’t rush him but we also won’t slow it down,” said OPSI vice president Rico Navarro.
Tepora is 19-0 with 14 knockouts, while Armed is 14-7 with six knockouts.
Araneta is also undefeated with 13-0 with 11 knockouts, while his foe Manufoe is 11-6 with eight knockouts.
“I’m excited that I will be able to fight for a title and on this stage,” Araneta said. This is Araneta’s first regional title fight and his first headliner.
OPSI and the Waterfront Hotel and Casino signed a MOA yesterday to partner in the Who’s Next? Series.
Salatiel Amit (9-2-2, 7 KOs) will slug it out with Renorio Arizala (13-5-1, 5 KOs) in a 10-rounder, while undefeated Cris Rosales (20-0-1, 8 KOs) will face off with veteran Jerry Nardo (21-10, 11 KOs) in an eight-round fight in the two other featured fights.
In the undercard, Jerry Castroverde (9-4, 5 KOs) will trade leathers with Ryan Quimbo (5-13-2); Feljun Taneo (7-1, 4 KOs) will face Jeffrey Stella (4-1, 4 KOs). Tomjune Mangubat (6-0, 6 KOs) will face former Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA) light flyweight champion Marvin Tampus (27-24-3, 18 KOs).