Hard Hitting Filipino Boxer

Hard hitting Filipino prospect Michael Farenas (25-2-2-22Kos), a protégé of former two-time world champion Gerry Penalosa is all set for a battle against Arturo Gomez (15-12-3-6Kos) this Saturday to serve as the main undercard for the Latin Fury 10’s main bout between Filipino challenger Juanito Rubillar versus tough Mexican WBA light Flyweight champion Giovanni “El Guerrero Azteca” Segura in Grand Mayan, Nueva Vallarta, Mexico.

Meanwhile, Farenas is not new to Mexico. His first fight May last year was victorious as he scored a unanimous decision against Fermin De Los Santos.

His recent outing was May this year where he defeated veteran boxer Walter Estrada who has a very decent record.

Segura’s original challenger for the title is another Filipino boxer, Sonny Boy Jaro but rumours has it that his manager Michael Koncz was not able to secure a travel visa for him.

All of his international boxing appearances have been successful. His first fight in US occurred October 2007 where he stopped Arturo Valenzuela in two rounds then late that year annihilated Baudel Cardenas via a 3rd round knockout.

Peñalosa said that he is confident that Farenas will easily dispose Gomez and stressed that after this match they will look for two more difficult fights as they prepare for a boxing title next year.

Former world champion Daniel Ponce De Leon and current WBO Jr Featherweight champion are being eyed by Team Farenas for a bout next year.

Farenas who trains at the Wildcard Gym of Freddie Roach was seen and observed by boxing conditioning expert and as reported was impressed by the superb power of the Filipino.

Beating Floyd Money Mayweather

Beating Mayweather up to this point has been something that no fighter has been able to achieve. Not even the Big Show from WWE fame was able to KO the slick tactician of the sweet science. Here is a formula and game plan that I believe if executed properly, could hand Mayweather his first defeat.

I would like to start off with saying that even though I don’t care a great deal for Floyd, I recognize and greatly respect his natural ability and god given talents that he’s been blessed with. He is easily the quickest and most dominant fighter that I have seen in the sport since Roy Jones Jr. in his prime. Both had the incredible talent to easily embarrass and out point they’re opponent while going virtually untouched through out the fight. My point being only a top tier opponent would be able to execute this game plan that I am about to put forth. This will only work for fighters like Marquez or Pacquiao who are phenomenal in they’re own right, but are considered by most to be less talented in comparison to a Mayweather, and therefore less likely to pull off a victory against him. B level opponents need not apply! Sorry Victor Ortiz.

This strategy even makes more sense now than it did a couple of months ago when the Mayweather vs. Marquez fight was first scheduled, and more than likely wont come as that big of a shock to any real followers of the sport. Supposedly the original fight date was postponed to the September 19th date due to a rib injury that Mayweather suffered early in training camp. Three words folks, “WORK THE BODY”! Kill the body and the head will follow as the say, and with Mayweather I feel that this would hold especially true.

Marquez would be an absolute fool not to try and test how well Mayweather’s rib has healed by launching a constant assault to the body. Even if there was no rib injury what so ever Marquez would be well served to focus the bulk of his efforts to the body of Mayweather. In fact for the at least the first six rounds of the fight Marquez should throw almost nothing but punches to the body, other than a jab upstairs.

Now this was supposed to be the strategy for Mayweather’s fights with De La Hoya as well as Ricky Hatton, but once in the ring with Mayweather both had trouble sticking to and executing that game plan. Maybe it was because they both disliked Floyd so much that they found it irresistible to try and damage Floyd’s pretty face. What ever the reason it didn’t happen and Floyd’s slick style and boxing skills prevailed.

I realize that Floyd’s incredible defense and great lateral movement is just one of the elements that make him so remarkably hard to beat, but that can be neutralized. Marquez must cut the ring off to combat Floyd’s constant movement rather than chasing him moving forward. He also needs to make it a rough physical fight when getting in close with Mayweather pressuring him into hopefully making a mistake.

After the sixth round or so Marquez could start going upstairs a bit more with his punches at a ratio of about 5/20. That’s five head shots for every 20 body shots thrown. Now nobody really knows how good Mayweather’s chin is since its never really been tested due to his defensive greatness but maybe just maybe Marquez could find out using the strategy I’m proposing?

At the very least using this formula he would be able to grind out a decision victory handing Floyd his first loss. The body is a larger and more stationary target than the head so it makes much sense to attack it with consistency while being aware of the counter punching Mayweather. Lets see how healed that rib is? This is truly the only path to victory for Marquez.

On September 19th Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1 37 KO’s) collides with the former pound 4 pound king and undefeated super star Floyd Money Mayweather (39-0 25KO’S). True boxing fans are routing for this to be a great fight that will answer two questions. One, does Mayweather still have what it takes to the reclaim his crown as the pound 4 pound king of boxing? Two, or does Marquez possess the skills & ability to pull off a major upset, and further his right to be regarded as the new pound 4 pound king?

Manny Pacquiao Getting in Over His Head Against Cotto

I have a feeling that we all will bare witness to one of the biggest upsets in boxing history Nov. 14th. Let me explain & compare both fighters objectively.

You have his last fight with Juan Manuel Marquez in which many observers feel & agree that Manny had lost. Juan Manuel Marquez for this reason has been dodged repeatedly by Manny Since there last fight. Next you have David Diaz folks, who was a cherry picked champion that had absolutely no skill what so ever to counter what Manny brought to the table & Manny knew this. After this fight it was time for Manny to move onto bigger & better things, so we thought. That brings us to Oscar De La Hoya, whom Manny Pacquiao knew, if the offer was lucrative enough, he could get Oscar & his giant ego down to a weight he had not fought in over TEN years. This Obviously played right into the hands of Manny who had the upper hand due to the fact Oscar was a shot fighter going into that fight. Oscar also was drained to the point that Freddie Roach even admitted noticing I.V marks on Oscars arms during the prefight introductions, which meant he was severely dehydrated. Now this brings me to Ricky Hatton, who we all know was a little better than a club fighter. Hatton got lucky in getting the fight to begin with & did not beat anyone of significant name or stature in my opinion. If you count Paulie Mallanaggi or Kaz ta zu you have to do better! Paulie is a very ordinary boxer with no power & Kaz Ta zu was way past his prime.

So who has Manny Pacquiao fought? True boxing fans have to strip down his SO CALLED coming out fights & realize that POSSIBLY the reason Manny has looked so great, has been because of the quality of opponents he has faced. Juan Manuel Marquez is the exception & the only boxer of late who has given Pacquiao his share of fits & Manny looked human at best when they have fought. Is that a coincidence? I believe it’s because Manny was Matched up against a Great fighter, not a washed up, club fighter, or a dehydrated boxer. This brings me to Miguel Cotto, who like Marquez is a great fighter & in my opinion an even greater one.

Lets start off with Zab “super’ Judah. Lets face it Zab Judah was at one point a high caliber boxer before the Mayweather fight & then was just not the same afterward, but needless to say had the power advantage & speed advantage over Miguel Cotto( which all boxing analyst stated) & we all know how devastating of a beating Miguel Cotto inflicted on Judah. Then we have Shane Mosley. This was a great boxing match in which, once again Cotto was the underdog & everyone had Mosley & his superior skills beating the young Cotto. This was a fantastic fight that went back & forth & ultimately one that Cotto won due to his amazing ability to box & adapt to one of the best boxers in the world. Mosley afterward in the ring acknowledged Cottos boxing skills & Called Cotto ” a Great young warrior”. That brings us to Antonio Margarito. Cotto showed his skill level for the first half of the fight & showed his ability to take a beating ( which is now under scrutiny due to Plastergate). Cotto has been accused of having a glass chin, but never was knocked out during that fight & would have kept on fighting if his corner did not stop the fight. Even with a majority of boxing analyst believing that he was being hit with plaster during the fight. Next Michael Jennings, who I admit was cherry picked to build Cotto’s confidence back up if it was hurt by the Margirito Fight. Cotto did what he was supposed to do, he destroyed jennings. Last & not least his recent fight with Joshua Clottey. In some eyes Cotto looked sub-par, In my eyes Cotto showed his natural ability to use his boxing skills against Clottey during this fight. Cotto fought with one eye from round 3 on & did not throw in the towel when he knew they where up. Cotto did the exact opposite, he fought through adversity, did just enough to keep Clottey at bay , win the fight ( I had it 7-5 Cotto) & showed his heart & how much of a warrior he is in the process.

What does all of this mean about Cotto vs Pacquiao? Its means Pacquaio is biting off more than he can chew. If Pacquiao or any of the Cotto doubters believe Cotto is going to be blown out of the ring when they meet in the proposed Nov. 14th showdown, I think you should brace yourself for a big surprise. I believe Pacquiao is letting Cotto’s recent performance against Clottey get to his head without looking at Cotto’s Body of work since he entered the welterweight division. Cotto fought one of the STRONGEST opponents he has faced & one that is stronger than any fighter Manny has ever fought in Clottey, he also did it with one eye. Cotto has never been knocked out against some of the stiffest & biggest welterweights in the world. We also Know Pacquiao is not as big as the true welterweights that have tried to knock Cotto out. So why would the doubters believe Manny is going to do it to Cotto? I know the doubters are going to say that Manny’s speed and power will destroy Cotto, I say to those doubters if it hasn’t been done with TRUE WELTERWEIGHTS then good luck to Pacquiao because he is going to need it against Cotto.

Juan Manuel Marquez: First World Title

By the time of his second attempt at a world title Juan Manuel Marquez was in a peculiar position: he was one of the most respected fighters in the sport yet had never held a major belt. He was mentioned in quite a few top 20 pound for pound lists (like Maxboxing founders Steve Kim and Doug Fischer) and was considered, along with Floyd Mayweather and Bernard Hopkins as one of the best ring technicians in the sport. Yet superstardom eluded him. 

Though he was a fixture at the old Great Western Forum in Los Angeles and impressed with his devastating combination of defense and offense, he was still poorly managed and he was seen as a high risk-low reward boxer, which resulted in many of the top fighters in the sport not wanting to step into the ring with him (most notably Prince Naseem Hamed refused to fight him even though he was his WBO mandatory). However, after years of victories Marquez finally got his shot at a world title when he took on WBA Featherweight champion Freddie Norwood.. It was his chance to finally earn what many thought was his destiny, but in the end it wasn’t meant to be as Freddie Norwood won a unanimous decision in a fight that Marquez probably won. The loss was bad enough but the major problem lied in the fact that even though he was deserving of the belt he got knocked down then proceeded to give the audience a cautious and pedestrian performance in an utterly god-awful fight. In summary: Marquez not only didn’t hold a belt, but didn’t gain any fans which allowed him to be shut out from the big names around the lower weight classes. From that point he had to earn his way back to the top and went on a string of impressive victories, culminating in stopping future world champion Robbie Peden in 9 rounds to earn a shot at the vacant IBF Featherweight title against former world champion Manuel Medina. Three and a half years after laying an egg in his first title try, this was Marquez’s chance to not only win a world title and lead to bigger title fights. He not only needed to win, but show the world why he was indeed, as some were already proclaiming, one of the best pugilists in the game. And Marquez made the most out of his opportunity. 

When the bell rang to begin the fight both went directly towards center ring and spent the first couple of seconds waiting the other out, yet it was Marquez who was the more aggressive of the two, starting off with firing straight right crosses and hooks to the body. Medina remained cautious in the opening stanza firing mostly a slow rangefinder jab. The problem was for all of his caution; Marquez was already beginning to solve him. He timed his occasional right cross with his head movement, and then when Medina went to the jab he would counter with his own jab followed directly behind a right cross. A minute into the fight Medina threw a jab, but Marquez immediately fired off a rocket fast left-hook-to-the-body, right-hook-to-the-body, and-a-double-left-hooks-to-the-head combination. The first punch was partially blocked but the last three landed flush and the last punch stunned Medina for a half second. Ten seconds later Marquez countered a Medina body-jab with a straight cross to the head then lead and connected with two lead left hooks to the body. With a minute left in the round Marquez’s offensive arsenal was beginning to fully emerge as he was countering to the head and the body with left hooks, right crosses, double jabs and uppercuts. The first round wasn’t even completed yet Marquez wasn’t having any problem countering and landing with his crisp combinations. The bell finally rang and gave Marquez a very easy round, and for Medina the worst was yet to come. 

The second round began and nothing of note happened for the first seconds until Medina threw a right cross. Marquez blocked it then turned his knuckles to land a follow up left hook that badly stunned Medina, then followed up with a massive right cross that sent Medina falling yet he was unfortunate to still be standing and Marquez connected with a left uppercut to the head. Medina fell over like he had been hit by a baseball bat. Yet event though badly hurt, he was able to regain his senses and got up at 8. Marquez began to advance trying to end it early, while Medina for a few seconds got on his bicycle. However, Medina made a massive mistake: he decided to fight. Instead of continuing to run or at least tie up Marquez, he elected to stand at center ring. This played directly to the hands of Marquez as he was able to play target practice. 

Marquez now back at center ring landed a lead left hook to the head followed by a right cross. Medina threw a jab, and again Marquez landed a left hook and a right cross then punctuated it with a left hook that slammed Medina’s head backwards. Medina then went into retreat against the ropes, but Marquez landed another right handed uppercut then a right cross. Medina was able to survive the onslaught and went back into center ring yet whenever he threw a punch, Marquez was able to counter him. And that round Marquez was seemingly landing with everything to all parts of his opponent’s body. The last minute of the round featured very little offense as Marquez, seemingly tired, going into a prevent offense while playing defense on the ropes. This allowed Medina a chance to get off on his offense, but Marquez was able to avoid most of his power shots by using his deft head movement and was still able to land some counters on his own. The second round ended with Marquez achieving a 10-8 round and assuming complete control of the fight. However, despite being totally dominant in the first two rounds of the fight, Marquez took his foot off of the gas pedal to start the third. 

For the entirety of the third round it featured Marquez intentionally going into a shell while Medina becoming the aggressor. The former champion began throwing more one-twos and was showing tremendous resolve and poise after taking so much punishment in the first two rounds. But there was a major problem: his aggression wasn’t effective. 

While he pressed forward and tried to get something flowing, Marquez, even in defense, was still landing the harder more devastating shots. Instead of a “second wind,” this was merely just an example on how even when he isn’t going at 100 miles an hour, Marquez was a legitimate ring artist. Then in the fourth round it was time for Marquez to get back to bringing the pain. 

Medina was playing the aggressor and landed his best punch of the fight, a right cross to face of Marquez, but in the mid point of the round Marquez landed a right cross that badly wobbled Medina. Medina tried to run away but then fell straight in line with Marquez’s follow up right hook. Both men were able to get back at the center of the ring, and again Medina regained enough of his senses to continue coming forward and throwing….and continually eating Marquez’s counters. Then when fifteen seconds to go in the round Marquez landed another counter right cross and was staggered yet again, but this time Marquez was going in for the kill. He landed a three punch combination while Medina was teetering on the brink of collapse. God only knows what kept him from getting knocked down, but he was able to hold on and survive the round, but when it was over his nose was pouring blood and his eyeballs were swelling. Marquez was now fully in control and his world title was in his sights. 

The next two rounds turned into a repeat performance as it was Marquez putting on an amazing performance. He was using the ring, spinning Medina around, using head movement to slip punches then firing back with those counters that always landed flush with damaging results. For people who had never seen him fight it was the proof why so many were afraid to fight him. As for Medina he was game and courageous, but he was getting the shit kicked out of him. That is how a lot of these title winning efforts seems to go for the pound-for-pounders; while the challenger is putting on an awesome show, the former champ or (other challenger for the vacant crown such as Medina) usually is forced to taken a brutal ass kicking. Medina was following that script to near perfection as he wasn’t even competitive. Round five was another clear Marquez round and round six was so one sided in favor for the soon-to-be-champ that it could have been scored a 10-8 even without a knockdown. At the end of the sixth, Medina’s right eye was totally shut and the end was near. 

Round seven began with Marquez and Medina being very tentative while the exchanged punches from a distance. Then Marquez went directly into the ropes, and Medina began throwing punches for ten seconds. But then Marquez spun the former champion around with a grazing left hook, then the follow up left hook landed flush, and sent Medina down again for a second time. Medina got up and was ready to fight on, but the referee, Robert Byrd walked Medina to the ring doctor to take a look at his swollen right eye. The doctor didn’t even hesitate and called the fight over and Marquez had earned a TKO in seven rounds and laid claim to his first world title. Yet more than the world championship that he won it was the culmination of a long road for the Mexican stylist. 

Nearly four years after laying an egg in the Norwood fight and three years of not getting his much deserved title shot at Prince Naseem Hamed, Marquez put forth the most dominant performance of his career when it mattered the most. Make no mistake either, while the fights with Marquez and Pacquiao were more significant, this was JMM at his most complete in terms of offense and defense. From that point on he was a legitimate star and the best was yet to come.

Bob Arum Says No Way Mayweather Will Get Even A 50/50 Purse Split For Pacquiao Fight

It seems there will be a long, hard road of tough negotiating ahead if we are ever to get the much sought after modern day dream fight that is Manny Pacquiao Vs. Floyd Mayweather Junior. Both fighters and their teams feel that they are the star attraction and the greater fighter, thus both Manny and Floyd argue they should be paid the lion's share of the bout's purse when and if the match-up takes place.

Reportedly, Mayweather Junior has said it will be "a cold day in hell" before he agrees to a 50/50 split with the man who took over his reign atop the pound-for-pound rankings. And Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum have rejected all talk of a 50/50 fight, Arum going as far as to say Mayweather would have to take much less. This may not be a case of greed, more a case of ego. Will this ongoing feud stop one of the best and most important bouts of the decade from taking place?

Usually in boxing, common sense comes to the fore in the end, when all parties concerned realise that the fight has to happen due to the sheer size of the event and of the money to be made from it. Let's hope this turns out to be the case with Pacquiao-Mayweather just as it was with Hatton-Pacquiao - another fight that looked to be off for a while due to disagreements over the monetary share the two fighters were to be paid. In the end, both sides came to their senses, but in an interview today with The Philippine Star, Arum made it clear Mayweather and his team will have to make a big concession if the fight we all want to see is actually made.

"You can tell Floyd Mayweather that Bob Arum says he's delusional," Arum said. "Floyd is not the attraction. Manny is the attraction. Floyd's got no idea what he's talking about. Floyd must be hallucinating when he said he wants the bigger purse and wouldn't agree to a 50/50 split. Even a 50/50 split with Floyd Mayweather is nonsense."

As firm as he is with his refusal to budge, Arum is basically putting the ball in Mayweather's court; but will Floyd ever allow himself to be paid less than any fighter he feels he is superior to? No date has been mentioned for the huge fight, but it won't be happening this year according to Arum.

In the article, Arum said Pacquiao will likely fight either Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto or Edwin Valero in his next fight, scheduled for October 17th. Arum also confirmed that Julio Cesar Chavez, once a possibility for "Pac-Man," has been ruled out.

"But I'm not gonna come up with a name until after June 13th (the date of Cotto-Joshua Clottey)," Arum said. "Then he'll [Manny] be back in Los Angeles and I will meet him and Freddie [Roach] there. We will discuss all the options, and get everybody's input. There's no rush. There's Cotto, Mosley and Valero. We're not including Julio Cesar Chavez Junior because of the weight (Chavez Jr. can get no lower than 150) and he's fighting soon."

Despite the long series of negotiating ahead, as long as Pacquiao and Mayweather win their next fights the demand will go on for a clash between the two greats. Hopefully this demand will be satisfied.

eastsideboxing.com

Manny Pacquiao wants Mayweather

In the report on the local television news program, world boxing champion and pound for pound king, Manny Pacquiao was interviewed about his schedules on at the ring.

While Floyd Mayweather admires Manny Pacquiao's fighting style but re-assured himself that the latter cannot knock him down, Manny Pacquiao then takes the challenge. Manny said he wants to have Mayweather since he was really challenging, he wants him because people are talking this fight. He wants to prove something on Floyd Mayweather.

The tentative schedule was set on October 17, 2009 and he will challenge whoever wins between Mayweather and Marquez fight on July this year. The popular Filipino boxer who recently scored a second round knock out against Ricky Hatton of England said that he is willing to face Mayweather at any weight between 142-145 pounds.

Mayweather Talks About Pacquiao, Hatton

The Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez hype show rolled into London yesterday, and as usual 32-year-old "Money" Mayweather had plenty to say. Speaking primarily about two fighters, in Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton - the former being a potential rival for the future, the latter being a conquered foe - Mayweather had some interesting stuff to say.

Floyd knows only too well the majority of fans worldwide want him to meet up with the man who took over his spot at the top of the pound-for-pound pile, and the 39-0(25) master said yesterday that if and when he and the Filipino superstar do meet he will beat him.

"If the Pacquiao fight presents itself after this one [Vs. Marquez], then I'll lay the blueprint on how to beat him," Mayweather said yesterday.. "Pacquiao's a good fighter but he can be got. He was knocked out twice before and I'm a slick, smart boxer. I would tie him up. There's a science to this game and I could adapt to any style. Pacquiao was out-boxed by Erik Morales."

Pacquiao may well have been stopped twice before, but on both occasions the southpaw was still very much a work in progress and fighting in a much lower weight class. Mayweather is right when he says "Pac-Man" was out-boxed by Morales, though. Clearly that fight makes the unbeaten great believe he can do the same thing to Manny. It would be an entirely different fight though. Let's hope we do get to see it. At least Mayweather is talking about the possibility.

As he was in Britian, the subject of Ricky Hatton was bound to come up. Mayweather pulled no punches while discussing "The Hitman's" fighting future - he said he has not got one.

"Ricky's career was over in 2007 when he met me," Floyd said. "He was a gutsy, tough champ but there's a time in every boxer's career when they must hang it up. He was knocked out twice - by me and Pacquiao. They were two devastating defeats. He's been in a lot of tough fights and taken some big shots.

"Gaining weight and drinking - you can't have that sort of lifestyle in boxing. You have to take your job seriously. I don't think Ricky should fight again. I wouldn't fight him again, even at Wembley. It would be like picking on a guy we call gun shot. His head won't be the same."

Hatton, as fans know, was very much dreaming of having an opportunity to get revenge over Mayweather, very possibly at Wembley some time next year; but this was ruined when Pacquiao destroyed him in just two rounds.

Speaking on the May 2nd fight, Mayweather said his father, who trained Hatton for the fight, of course, should not be in any way blamed for what happened.

"I don't want everyone over here ripping my father to shreds," Floyd said with regards to Hatton's quick KO loss. "It wasn't my dad's fault. My dad told him to go out, relax, use his jab and be smart. There's this other trainer, Lee Beard, and Ricky was listening to him. No disrespect to Lee but has he fought? A lot of the time trainers try to tell fighters what to do without having been in combat. My dad has been in combat before."

Speaking respectfully about his father as he did, Floyd made a lot of sense. The word is the two Mayweathers are back on good terms. Maybe Senior will work Junior's corner in the fight he is currently hyping up?

HBO Upcoming Boxing Fights

After the big fight of Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton and Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, another boxing sport game will be held and will be shown by the HBO on Saturday, May 9 at 9:30 PM ET/6:30 PM PT.

First fight will be Andre Berto, 24 wins, 0 loss with 19 Knock outs against Juan Urango, 21 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw with 16 Knock outs on the records.

Second bout is scheduled for Alfredo Angulo, 15 wins, no loss with 12 Knock outs verus
Kermit Cintron, 30 wins, 2 loss, 1 draw with 27 Knock out records.