Philippines, 29 Mar 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Farenas Knocks Out Unbeaten Davis, Gets Right to IBF Title Challenge


PhilBoxing.com




CONNECTICUT -- When the bright klieg lights of national television flashed, Michael Farenas wasted no time in showing everyone why he is the most feared and avoided fighter.

With the all-important right to challenge for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title at stake, Farenas chased Mark "Too Sharp" Davis from pillar to post from the very first second of the first round until referee Steve Smoger waived off the unbeaten prospect from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The end came at the 59th second of the eighth round. Smoger averted what could have been a fatal end to the fight as the hapless Davis got cornered again. Farenas scored his 39th win (31 by knockout), four losses and four draws with this emphatic win.

Thus Farenas earned the right to face the winner of the Argenis Mendez versus Rances Barthelemy IBF super featherweight title fight scheduled on July 10 at American Airlines Arena in Miami.

Farenas, who had to languish and wait for this big chance since losing to Yuriorkis Gamboa two years ago, silenced the fans and the big crowd at the Foxwoods Resort in serene Mashantucket, CT waiting for an ambush to happen. Davis, who fell to 18-1-0, was a rising star touted by many to be the next big thing in boxing. Patron rapper Fifty Cent had high hopes for the unbeaten Davis until the fateful end.

After the loss to Gamboa, Farenas was a buzzsaw and a man on a mission, winning all his four fights in a cumulative total of seven rounds alone.

The Filipino gave only a handful of believers who came as far as New York, Los Angeles, Japan and Manila something to cheer about as he let loose combinations and a game-plan geared towards a vicious body attack. It worked dividends in the end as the very game Davis seemed impervious to Farenas' onslaught early on.

At hand were Farenas' manager Gerry Penalosa, supporter Kosuke Washio of Japan, cutman Lenny de Jesus and cornerman Mike Cupak, who all came from nearby New York and New Jersey on short notice.

The 30-year-old Gubat, Sorsogon native bloodied Davis right on the first round, scoring on mighty left roundhouses and straights that cut Davis's right eye. Davis was cocky and taunted Farenas no end.

Writers at press row recognized the talent and gallantry of Farenas, quipping that this fight was between a man (Farenas) and a boy as the Filipino plowed his way through Davis's punches.

It was a reunion of sorts for Farenas who was ably trained and supported by his friend Marvin Somodio, who was just starting out an amateur career in 2004 in the Philippines. Farenas had already completed his tour of duty as an amateur and was entering the professional ranks during that time.

Somodio made sure Farenas was relaxed and detached from the distractions surrounding the fighter. "Malaking tulong talaga si Marvin kasi hindi lang training ang contribution niya. Marami ring lecture at experience ang ibinigay niya sa training," said Farenas, who came to the US all by his lonesome. He had to wait for a week to reunite with Somodio, who was then in New York, helping his mentor Freddie Roach win another title for Miguel Cotto.

Farenas's original trainer Irving Penalosa could not make it to the US as he had visa problems. Farenas stayed at the apartment rented out by compatriot Manny Pacquiao in Los Angeles and was loaned a car and given provisions by supporter and believer Abbas Ahmadi of Cerritos Mitsubishi.

"Maraming salamat sa lahat ng sumuporta at naniwala sa akin. Sana, magtuluy-tuloy na ito. Hindi na rin tayo bumabata," added Farenas, who continuously staggered Davis, who was saved by the bell in the fifth round.

At the end, Farenas's face was virtually unmarked even as he thanked people who prayed for him. Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Marlon Beof prayed for him, too, via phone from Los Angeles.

"We had a good training camp at the Wild Card Gym as Mike sparred with Dennis Shapikov and Frankie Gomez, both top contenders," said Somodio, now a master in his own right, with Roach overseeing things.

Argenis Mendez of the Dominican Republic is the current IBF junior lightweight champion. A fight with Farenas will be in the works, soon.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Winchell Campos.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • AJ Paciones Stops Wanchai, Retains WBA Asia 108 Belt in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Ador Torres Scores Round 4 TKO WIn in Thailand, Still ABF-147 Champ
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Weigh-In Results: Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada vs. Yokasta Valle Championship Doubleheader
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Pagaduan to face Bubpamalo on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Andrew Moloney-Pedro Guevara Interim Junior Bantamweight Title Showdown Confirmed as New Co-Feature to Lomachenko-Kambosos Super Fight at RAC Arena in Perth & LIVE on ESPN
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • CBN Promotions Expands Broadcast Reach with Addition of Stadium and Gray Television as Distribution Partners
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Daya, Paulino rule OCR
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Wild, Wild Western Conference
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez-Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle Doubleheader Set for Friday
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM BIG TIME BOXING USA IN DETROIT
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Undefeated Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes to Attend Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson Fight Eyes Potential Showdown with Winner
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PACE to host FIDE chess tilt this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Preserving a Legacy: The Birth of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Garcia vs Haney: Boxing Match or A Live Mental Break Down?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Christian Mbilli-Mark Heffron Super Middleweight Main Event & Arslanbek Makhmudov-Junior Fa Heavyweight Battle Set for May 25 at Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan, Canada
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • MATÍAS MAKES HOMECOMING DEFENSE AGAINST PARO ON JUNE 15
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • ‘ROCKY’ HERNANDEZ RETURNS AGAINST LUGO IN MEXICO ON MAY 11
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PCAP: Cavite eyeing to bounce back
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • HALL OF FAMER ANN WOLFE TO ATTEND 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Gathering of champions
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Filipinos AJ Paciones and Ador Torres Make Weight for Title Fights in Highland Boxing Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Visiting Teams All Won vs Hosts; Boston Finally Loses
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Lukas to face undefeated Jaiklom on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Sulaiman leaves Manila with fond memories
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Montano to Fight for WBO Oriental Welterweight Title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.