Philippines, 26 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Michael Farenas; The Road Warrior is on the hunt again


PhilBoxing.com




Another out-of-town fight, another unbeaten opponent, another country, another eliminator; For Michael ?Iron Fists? Farenas, tonight?s fight (Saturday morning in the Philippines) against Jose Pedraza in Puerto Rico is just that - another fight for him to hurdle and another hurdle for him to prove to the world that he is deserving of another shot at a world title.

?Parang nasanay na ako, kasi palagi na lang akong pumupunta sa lugar ng kalaban, kaya medyo okay lang,? Farenas told Philboxing.com in an interview.

(I think I am getting used to it, because I always travel to the place of my enemy, so it's just fine.)

Farenas (39-4-4, 31KOs), the International Boxing Federation?s Number 2 rated contender in their 130 pound class (Junior Lightweight) is facing Number 3 rated contender Jose ?Sniper? Pedraza (18-0, 12 KOs) in Pedraza?s country of Puerto Rico.

The former two-time world title contender from Gubat, Sorsogon in the Philippines will be attempting to pad his resume and solidify his claim as the rightful challenger to the IBF Junior Lightweight crown held by Rances Barthelemy of the United States.

He earned the number 2 spot (the IBF has not rated anyone at Number 1 in its latest rankings) by beating previously unbeaten American Mark Davis via TKO in the 8th round at the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut in a fight that was advertised as a world title eliminator on ESPN. His hopes of challenging Barthelemy was sidelined after the IBF ordered Barthelemy to fight then Number 12 challenger Fernando Saucedo (IBF September 2014 ratings) last October which the champion won by an easy Unanimous Decision.

?Palagi na lang eliminator, sana ngayon manalo tayo at pagkatapos ay championship na lang talaga ang susunod,? stated Farenas.

(It?s always been an eliminator; I hope that I win this one and that the championship is next.)

Farenas acknowledged that he is facing a good and undefeated boxer in Pedraza but he promised that he will do anything that is necessary to secure the win even if the fight is on Pedraza?s stomping ground.

?Ang kalaban ko magaling din, isa ding undefeated. Pero kailangan nating manalo, kaya gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo tayo.?

(My opponent is also good, another undefeated boxer. But I need to win this fight and I will do everything for us to win.)

Farenas is not secretive of his plans against Pedraza tonight; he is planning to knock his opponent inside 12 rounds to prevent handling the outcome of the fight to the judges at ringside ? in his opponent?s country.

?Kailangan kong pumasok. Kailangan kong makabitaw ng malalakas na suntok kasi nag-aalangan kami kasi ang laban ay sa Puerto Rico. Kung matapos ang laban sa 12 rounds, medyo alanganin tayo, kailangan may knockout.?

(I need to press him. I need to hit him hard because we are uncertain of the outcome because the fight is held in Puerto Rico. If the fight ends in 12 rounds, we are at a disadvantage, a knockout is needed. )

Farenas will be accompanied by his manager and promoter, Gerry Penalosa and trainer Carl Penalosa. Lenny De Jesus will be their cut man on fight night.

Both Farenas and Pedraza met the 130 pound limit for tonight?s fight in yesterday?s weigh-in, Farenas was 129.8 lbs. while Pedraza was exactly 130 lbs.

In the pursuit of his dream of fighting for another world title, Michael Farenas is once again a warrior on the hunt in the world of prize fighting.

You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and is on Twitter @Freemazon910.

Photo: Michael Farenas at Thursday's weighin in Puerto Rico.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • House of Representatives say yes to the Boxing Revitalization Act and it is now sent to the Senate
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’ Kielczweski To return after 4-year layoff to fight at home on Granite Chin’s ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Ellaine Summer Abanco wins silver medal on tiebreak
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Catubig, McDowell win in DC Athletic 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Team Juna wins first competition in IRONMAN 70.3 Davao
    By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • 14-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • MMA legend Jon Jones joins IBA Bare Knuckle as global ambassador
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NEW EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION WITH DAZN
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • “The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Fighters Shine with Statement Victories in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Mar 2026
  • Red Owl Boxing Presents Box Fest XVII on Friday, April 3rd at The Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA and LIVE on DAZN
    , Tue, 24 Mar 2026
  • Boxing world fans waiting Isis Sio prompty recovery; Team Isis Sio statement
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 24 Mar 2026
  • National Master Nika Juris Nicolas rules National Youth & Schools Chess Championships
    , Tue, 24 Mar 2026
  • SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS DOUBLE MAIN EVENTS SET AS JULIUS “JUJU” BALLO SQAURES OFF AGAINST ROMAN REYES AT FRONTWAVE ARENA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
    , Mon, 23 Mar 2026
  • "I'M A MAN OF MY WORD": GEORGE LIDDARD COMPLETES MATCHROOM BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY – HOURS AFTER DENNY WIN
    , Mon, 23 Mar 2026
  • Lester Martinez Wins WBC Interim World Super Middleweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Immanuwel Aleem
    , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • IBF Pan Pacific champion Vince Paras set to face unbeaten OPBF champion Aoi Yokoyama in Kyrgyzstan
    , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • King James sets NBA all-time record for most games played
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • Loaded boxing schedule
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • WEIGHTS, IMAGES, RUNNING ORDER AND THE LAST WORDS AHEAD OF ADAMES VS. WILLIAMS IN ORLANDO
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • COPPER BOX ARENA FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS LIDDARD AND DENNY FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Martinez vs. Aleem’ Event from the NOS Event Center in San Bernardino and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.