GUERRERO FAILS MEDICAL, ‘CHANGO ‘ VARGAS STEPS UP
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 11 Feb 2010
Manuel 'Chango' Vargas.
Gerson Guerrero failed the pre-fight medical examination when doctors discovered a tear in the retina of his right eye and had to be replaced at the last minute by Manuel “Chango” Vargas, the 28 year old Mexican with a record of 26-4-1 with 11 knockouts who will face WBA super flyweight interim champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire in the main event of the "Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury 13" fight card at the Las Vegas Hilton on Sunday, Manila Time.
The fights will be telecast on Channel 2 by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN as well as its global network - The Filipino Channel or TFC - beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a replay over Studio 23 at 8:30 p.m.
Vargas lost via split decision to WBO minimum weight champion Donnie Nietes last September 12, 2009 after solidifying his hold on the interim title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Walter Trello on December 6, 2008 after scoring a 4th round knockout over Daniel Reyes on April 9, 2008.
Donaire, who went over to Guerrero and consoled the Mexican who had looked forward to his big chance and trained some three months for the shot at Donaire’s WBA super flyweight interim title, felt the disappointment of having to face a substitute but indicated no matter what, he’s ready to put on a show for the fight fans.
Donaire told Guerrero, ”I feel sorry because as a fighter I know how it feels.” Then turning to Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN who speaks Spanish, Donaire told her to tell him “I feel his pain because for me he is a true warrior and I know that he trained really hard for it and I know he’s ready and I’m ready but as a fighter I give him a lot of respect and my heart pains for him as well."
The well-attended press conference hosted by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum at the Shimmer Room of the Las Vegas Hilton had boxing writers abuzz over the possibilities in two other fights where the winners get a crack at a title.
Two former champions Gerry Penalosa and Eric Morel of Puerto Rico clash in a WBO bantamweight interim title fight with the winner promised a crack at the title held by Fernando Montiel who faces undefeated Filipino prospect Cisco "El Terrible" Morales on the same fight card at the Hilton Pavilion where Leon Spinks beat Muhammad Ali to win the world heavyweight title in 1976.
The other eagerly anticipated fight is the featherweight encounter between Bernabe Concepcion and hard-hitting southpaw Mario Santiago with the winner promised a crack at WBO champion Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez who is expected at ringside to watch his next opponent in action.
Morel told us that he is "extremely well prepared, great focus on what I want to do, focused on my future and I will use Gerry Penalosa as a stepping stone." Morel said he "trained very hard against some southpaws and feel great."
The former world champion said his biggest advantage against Penalosa will be his "reach, the speed, the movement and more power." Morel said he is sure Gerry "will keep on coming which is gonna be great. That's the fighter he is but we'll see how he's gonna react."
Penalosa said he is determined to win and take a giant step towards once again becoming a world champion.
Arum described Concepcion and Santiago who start the pay-per-view telecast as "two young men who are outstanding featherweights and there is a real reward for the winner will get an opportunity to challenge this summer for the world championship against Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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