PEDRAZA CLAIMS HIS BOXING SKILLS WILL PREVAIL OVER FARENAS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 10 Oct 2014
Pedraza (L).
Undefeated Puerto Rican Jose ?Sniper? Pedraza who has a record of 18-0 with 12 knockouts claims his boxing skills which stem from a solid amateur background would be too much for hard-hitting Filipino southpaw Michael Farenas when they clash for the IBF No.1 spot in San Juan, Puerto Rico on November 14.
Pedraza made the statement hours before Farenas was to leave for Los Angeles with trainer Carl Penalosa and strength and conditioning coach Jay San Pedro with Farenas set to train at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym before flying to Puerto Rico on November 9.
Pedraza who is ranked No. 4 by the WBA, No. 5 by the WBC and No. 6 by the IBF is ready to put everything on the line in what is effectively a title eliminator with the winner to be given a crack at champion Rances Bartehelemy (21-0, 12 KO?s) who is coming off a recent comfortable twelve round unanimous decision over No. 6 ranked Jose Saucedo.
Farenas who is ranked No. 2 by the IBF behind a record of 39-4-4, 31 KO?s) had his last sparring session at the Gerry Penalosa Gym in Better Living, Paranaque on Thursday and went four rounds with former OPBF champion Joel ?Mulawin? Alibio and concentrated on cutting off the ring and hammering his opponent with vicious body shots.
Farenas is a prot?g? of former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa who himself conceded that Pedraza is good but fights like an amateur and Farenas will prove to be too strong and too experienced just like he was against undefeated Mark ?Too Sharp? Davis whom Farenas hammered into submission in nine rounds.
Despite his amateur background Pedraza has knocked out five of his last seven opponents and is reportedly excited about showcasing his talent before a hometown crowd.
Pedraza was quoted as saying ?I?ve worked very hard to get into this position and I?m going to take advantage of this opportunity.?
He conceded that Farenas ?is a very powerful puncher but I feel my boxing skills will prevail and I will be victorious.?
Farenas is coming off a five-fight knockout streak. He possesses awesome punching power in both hands and with his advantage in experience, Penalosa feels very confident going into the fight.
While Penalosa hinted about his concern over judging in Puerto Rico he is looking to Farenas to take the decision out of the judges hands by stopping Pedraza.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Two (or Three) Lefts Make a Right: Francisco Guilledo to Luisito Espinosa
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 11 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez Advances to 2025 World Boxing Championships Semifinals
Thu, 11 Sep 2025UNIFIED WORLD CHAMPION OSCAR COLLAZO HOSTS MEDIA WORKOUT
Thu, 11 Sep 2025Jerwin Ancajas Set for IBF Mandatory Eliminator Against Former World Champ Ryosuke Nishida; Winner Fights Naoya Inoue
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 11 Sep 2025“Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
Thu, 11 Sep 2025Local Favorite Bryce Mills Tops First Boxing Card At del Lago Resort & Casino
Thu, 11 Sep 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: It´s Fightweek Fight: Canelo vs. Crawford
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Casimero comeback next month in Kyrgyzstan?
By Nick Giongco, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Team USA Concludes Day Six of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Wed, 10 Sep 2025Andrade, Garras rule Milo marathon in Tagum
Wed, 10 Sep 2025CROCKER-DONOVAN II: INSIDE LOOK AT FIRST FACE-OFF IN BELFAST
Wed, 10 Sep 2025Former Panamanian WBA champ Jorge Lujan hospitalized
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Southern Sports Heroes Night on Sept. 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025ABAP feels WB’s growing pains
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Laurente is new Philippine super featherweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025