Michael Farenas; The Road Warrior is on the hunt again
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 Nov 2014
Another out-of-town fight, another unbeaten opponent, another country, another eliminator; For Michael ?Iron Fists? Farenas, tonight?s fight (Saturday morning in the Philippines) against Jose Pedraza in Puerto Rico is just that - another fight for him to hurdle and another hurdle for him to prove to the world that he is deserving of another shot at a world title.
?Parang nasanay na ako, kasi palagi na lang akong pumupunta sa lugar ng kalaban, kaya medyo okay lang,? Farenas told Philboxing.com in an interview.
(I think I am getting used to it, because I always travel to the place of my enemy, so it's just fine.)
Farenas (39-4-4, 31KOs), the International Boxing Federation?s Number 2 rated contender in their 130 pound class (Junior Lightweight) is facing Number 3 rated contender Jose ?Sniper? Pedraza (18-0, 12 KOs) in Pedraza?s country of Puerto Rico.
The former two-time world title contender from Gubat, Sorsogon in the Philippines will be attempting to pad his resume and solidify his claim as the rightful challenger to the IBF Junior Lightweight crown held by Rances Barthelemy of the United States.
He earned the number 2 spot (the IBF has not rated anyone at Number 1 in its latest rankings) by beating previously unbeaten American Mark Davis via TKO in the 8th round at the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut in a fight that was advertised as a world title eliminator on ESPN. His hopes of challenging Barthelemy was sidelined after the IBF ordered Barthelemy to fight then Number 12 challenger Fernando Saucedo (IBF September 2014 ratings) last October which the champion won by an easy Unanimous Decision.
?Palagi na lang eliminator, sana ngayon manalo tayo at pagkatapos ay championship na lang talaga ang susunod,? stated Farenas.
(It?s always been an eliminator; I hope that I win this one and that the championship is next.)
Farenas acknowledged that he is facing a good and undefeated boxer in Pedraza but he promised that he will do anything that is necessary to secure the win even if the fight is on Pedraza?s stomping ground.
?Ang kalaban ko magaling din, isa ding undefeated. Pero kailangan nating manalo, kaya gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo tayo.?
(My opponent is also good, another undefeated boxer. But I need to win this fight and I will do everything for us to win.)
Farenas is not secretive of his plans against Pedraza tonight; he is planning to knock his opponent inside 12 rounds to prevent handling the outcome of the fight to the judges at ringside ? in his opponent?s country.
?Kailangan kong pumasok. Kailangan kong makabitaw ng malalakas na suntok kasi nag-aalangan kami kasi ang laban ay sa Puerto Rico. Kung matapos ang laban sa 12 rounds, medyo alanganin tayo, kailangan may knockout.?
(I need to press him. I need to hit him hard because we are uncertain of the outcome because the fight is held in Puerto Rico. If the fight ends in 12 rounds, we are at a disadvantage, a knockout is needed. )
Farenas will be accompanied by his manager and promoter, Gerry Penalosa and trainer Carl Penalosa. Lenny De Jesus will be their cut man on fight night.
Both Farenas and Pedraza met the 130 pound limit for tonight?s fight in yesterday?s weigh-in, Farenas was 129.8 lbs. while Pedraza was exactly 130 lbs.
In the pursuit of his dream of fighting for another world title, Michael Farenas is once again a warrior on the hunt in the world of prize fighting.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and is on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Photo: Michael Farenas at Thursday's weighin in Puerto Rico.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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