ARUM SAYS RP DESERVES THE BEST FIGHTS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 07 Dec 2009
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has said the Philippines deserves the best fights because “any country that can produce a Manny Pacquiao deserves to get the best in boxing” even as he announced that he would stage four “Pinoy Power” fight cards in 2010.
Arum who signed a two-year deal with the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN during a quick visit to Manila said the first big “Pinoy Power III” card will take place at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 13 headlined by WBA super flyweight interim champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire (22-1, 14 KO’s) who will battle Gerson Guerrero, the reigning North American Boxing Federation champion and the winner of a WBC title eliminator last June 13.
Guerrero scored a 10th round TKO win over Enrique Quevedo in capturing the NABF title and winning the WBC title eliminator.
Donaire, on the other hand scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Panama’s Rafael “El Torito” C oncepcion in a clash for the WBA interim title which Concepcion lost on the scales by being well over the 115 pound limit.
Also on the Top Rank card will be featherweight Bernabe Concepcion (27-3-1, 15 KO’s) who will take on Puerto Rican southpaw Mario Santiago (21-1-1, 14 KO’s) whom Arum described as a tough opponent having drawn with WBO champion Steven Luevano in a title fight on June 28, 2008 and beaten Morris Chule by an eight round split decision last October 17.
Former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa (54-7-2, 36 KO’s) , the veteran southpaw will go up against former world champion Eric Morel (41-2, 21 KO’s) of Puerto Rico in a bantamweight title eliminator while Arum indicated he would try to use his persuasive powers to get WBO champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico to take on Michael Domingo who is a replacement for Z “The Dream” Gorres whose career was regrettably cut short by brain surgery following a smashing victory of Luis Melendez of Colombia last November 13.
Top Rank’s respected matchmaker Bruce Trampler who will soon be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame told us that Morel had turned down the offer to fight Domingo but gave no reason for the rejection. However, Arum appeared confident he could persuade Montiel to take the fight.
In addressing ABS-CBN Chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez, Arum said “I promise I will supply you with the best in boxing and I know you will showcase it here for the Filipino people like no other television entity in the Philippines.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026