FARENAS BEGINS SPARRING AT WILD CARD GYM
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 15 Oct 2014
Hard-hitting southpaw Michael Farenas had his first sparring session at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles on Tuesday (LA Time) under the supervision of trainer Carl Penalosa and strength and conditioning coach Jay San Pedro.
According to former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa they had lined-up some tough Armenians as sparring partners.
The three left for Los Angeles last Friday after Farenas, a protege of Penalosa had his final four round sparring session at Penalosa's Gym in Better Living Subdivision, Paranaque against former OPBF champion Joel "Mulawin" Alibio.
Penalosa told the Manila Standard/Viva Sports that the training of Farenas so far "has been excellent" and he is training twice as hard because he knows his fight against undefeated Puerto Rican Jose ?Sniper? Pedraza who has a record of 18-0 with 12 knockouts "is not an easy fight."
Pedraza who has a solid amateur background has claimed his boxing skills would be too much Farenas when they clash for the IBF No.1 spot in San Juan, Puerto Rico on November 14.
However, Penalosa conceded that while Pedraza has a fine amateur record and "is a good boxer he hasn't proven himself as a pro just yet" and the Puerto Rican who is ranked No. 4 by the WBA, No. 5 by the WBC and No. 6 by the IBF "will find out how far he can go against the 'Hammer Fist" which is the heavy handed Farenas' nickname.
He said Pedraza reminds him of Mark "Too Sharp" Davis a fine amateur with an unbeaten pro record who he believes "was pushed too soon" and paid the price when he was hammered into submission by Farenas in nine rounds.
Penalosa insists Farenas who is ranked No. 2 by the IBF behind a record of 39-4-4 with 31 knockouts "is world class while Pedraza is too raw and has never been tested. Its not the time as yet for Pedraza. Farenas is experienced, hits harder and has fought good opponents" although he conceded that Pedraza "is tall and fast but fights like an amateur and runs" which is why Farenas' sparring was geared "to cut off the ring" and to negate the hand-speed and footwork of Pedraza with vicious body shots.
The winner of the Farenas-Pedraza title eliminator in Puerto Rico will get 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.
Penalosa expressed his misgivings of allowing the judges to decide the outcome of the eliminator. He said "we don't know what will happen if its left in the judges hands.We don't want that. We won't leave it in the hands of the judges. Michael must stop him."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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