Gerry: Fareñas can’t afford to lose

“King” Arthur Villanueva (left) and Genesis Servania in Manila.
facebook photo/edito villamor

Filipino super featherweight Michael Fareñas must beat Mexican Miguel Zamudio if he is to inch closer to a dream world title fight, his promoter and former world champion Gerry Peñalosa disclosed.
Fareñas (37-4-4, 29KOs) is set to fight Zamudio (26-3-1,14KOs) on March 14 at the Ynares Stadium in Pasig City, Manila for the WBO Oriental Super featherweight title. According to Peñalosa, his ward is already busy honing his skills for the regional title bout.
He said that at the rate Fareñas is going, a third world title fight is definitely in the horrizon.
Fareñas fought for the WBA world super featherweight title against Japanese Takashi Uchiyama last 2012 but the fight ended in a draw.
He also fought cocky Cuban interim WBA world lightweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez on Dec. 2012 where he knocked down Gamboa in the middle round. Gamboa however, went on to score a unanimous decision win.
“We hope that he will win this fight because we are already setting the month of June as the schedule for his world title fight. This will be a crucial stage for him because there’s a lot at stake,” Peñalosa told CDN.
Peñalosa said that he is willing to lend his ward to foreign promoters who can arrange for a world title fight. If not, he said he will be the one to promote it in the country.
“I am still waiting for interested promoters abroad if they can include Fareñas in their fight card. If not, then I’ll be the one who will promote the world title fight for Fareñas here,” Peñalosa added.
Peñalosa said that Zamudio is a tough opponent having fought for the WBA Interim world featherweight title. Fareñas’ most recent bout was against Mexican Jesus Rios in Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City, Manila last December where he won via second round TKO.
Meanwhile, Peñalosa’s nephew, Dave Peñalosa who is undefeated in seven bouts with five knockouts, will also be fighting in the undercard of Fareñas-Zamudio where he will be fighting Mexican Ever Ceballos (10-5-1, 2KOs) in a non-title bout.
Dave Peñalosa said he has already completed 70 percent of his training here in Cebu under the supervision of his father, the former two-time world champion Dodie Boy Sr.
“If he wins two to three fights including this one, I am planning to also let him fight for a regional title this year,” Gerry Peñalosa added.