Jhack Tepora after knocking out his Mexican opponent. Photo by Mark Giongco
KUALA LUMPUR — Jhack Tepora said he would knockout Edivaldo Ortega and he kept his promise on Sunday.
Tepora added his name to the list of Filipino world champions after earning the interim vacant WBA featherweight title with a TKO win in the ninth round.
“I’m very happy because I’ve been wanting to be a world champion since I was kid,” said Tepora in Filipino.
The 25-year-old Tepora connected on a right uppercut that decked Ortega and drew a roar from the predominantly Filipino crowd at Axiata Arena.
Ortega, who kept coming forward, got up before getting wobbled again, forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight at the 2:38 mark.
Tepora kept his record unblemished with 22 wins, 17 off knockouts and dealt Ortega, who owns 26 wins, his second loss.