Philippines, 20 Dec 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DONAIRE SR SAYS MORALES LEFT HOOK IS KEY


PhilBoxing.com




Nonito Donaire Sr says the left hook of undefeated Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales will be the key in his WBO title fight against champion Fernando “Cochuliito” Montiel of Mexico in the “Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury 13” fight card at the Las Vegas Hilton on Sunday, Manila Time.

Donaire told us on our arrival from Manila with well known promoter Sammy Gello-ani who is working closely with international matchmaker/promoter Sampson “Picasso” Lewkowicz in steering the career of Morales and several other promising Filipino fighters there is “no need to worry about Ciso’s weight. He is 121 pounds right now (Tuesday in Las Vegas) and the weigh in is on Friday. He can make it easily.”

What Donaire was more interested in talking about was whether Morales could handle the far more experienced Montiel. Donaire is confident that if Morales “fights like we trained in the gym and with his power, he can knock Montiel out. But he must stay focused and composed.”

Donaire who steered his son Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire to the IBF and IBO world flyweight titles with a spectacular 5th round knockout over Vic Darchinyan in July 2007 said Morales had developed a vicious left hook to go with his right straight and said “the left is even stronger than his right.”

However, despite Donaire Sr’s confidence, Montiel is a heavy favorite to win and his clash with Morales will be telecast as the main event in Mexico. In the Philippines where the fight card will be telecast by the pre-eminent Channel 2 of the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a replay at 8:30 p.m. over Studio 23 and on its widely watched Global network, TFC or The Filipino Channel, the battle between WBA Interim super flyweight champion “The Filipino Flash” Donaire against big puncher Gerson Guerrero of Mexico will headline the telecast.

While there is tremendous interest in how Donaire will look against Guerrero and what the future holds for the skilled fighter who is expected to follow in the footsteps of “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao, there is a lot of buzz about the clash between former champions Gerry Penalosa and Eric Morel of Puerto Rico.

Morel who has a record of 42-2 with 21 knockouts says he has trained hard for his test against the classy Penalosa whose own record is 54-7-2 with 34 knockouts and has trained at the Wild Card Gym of the celebrated Freddie Roach.

Reminded about the gallant stand of Penalosa against then super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez who was much younger and stronger but couldn’t put Penalosa away, Morel said “I can tell you now that I feel extremely strong coming into this fight.”

Realizing that Penalosa’s gameplan would be to go to the body Morel said he was prepared saying “Not only do I have to be prepared for his body attack but also for anything else he throws at me. Keep in mind though that I plan to test Pe?alosa’s body as well.”

Penalosa will have to contend with the height and reach advantage of Morel who indicated he plans to make full use of whatever advantage he has. “I have the edge in height and reach on him which I plan to take full advantage of. I expect Pe?alosa to attempt to apply heavy pressure on me and get himself in to close range in an effort to negate my advantages, but I’m much faster than he is. There is no way he can match my speed.”

Morel who trained for several weeks in Puerto Rico sparring with southpaws sent the veteran Penalosa a warning ”You can expect my complete arsenal to be on display come Saturday night. I will mix it up with him at times and I will box smartly at well. With our styles this is going to be an exciting fight but I will make any necessary adjustments in order to be victorious.”

The Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3, is being produced and distributed live on pay-per-view by Top Rank, in association with PR Best Boxing, ABS-CBN, Zanfer Promotions and the Las Vegas Hilton, will take place at the Las Vegas Hilton. There will be four-bouts on the pay-per-view broadcast which will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

The main event will feature two-division world champion Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire a native of General Santos City, Philippines who resides in San Leandro, CA defending his World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super flyweight title against Gerson ‘El Nene’ Guerrero (34-8 26 KOs), of Mexico City. WBO bantamweight champion Fernando ‘Cochulito’ Montiel (39-2-2, 29 KOs), of Los Mochis, Mexico will defend his crown against Ciso ‘Kid Terrible’ Morales (14-0, 8 KOs), of Bohol, Philippines. In a battle of former world title challengers Mario Santiago (21-1-1, 14 KOs), of Ponce, Puerto Rico will take on Bernabe Concepcion (29-2-1, 17 KOs), of Rizal, Philippines in a 10 round featherweight bout.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
    , Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
    , Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
    , Thu, 18 Dec 2025
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
    , Thu, 18 Dec 2025
  • Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
    , Thu, 18 Dec 2025
  • Three boxers aim for finals
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025
  • BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025
  • Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.