Philippines, 23 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


GUERRERO FAILS MEDICAL, ‘CHANGO ‘ VARGAS STEPS UP


PhilBoxing.com



Manuel 'Chango' Vargas.

Gerson Guerrero failed the pre-fight medical examination when doctors discovered a tear in the retina of his right eye and had to be replaced at the last minute by Manuel “Chango” Vargas, the 28 year old Mexican with a record of 26-4-1 with 11 knockouts who will face WBA super flyweight interim champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire in the main event of the "Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury 13" fight card at the Las Vegas Hilton on Sunday, Manila Time.

The fights will be telecast on Channel 2 by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN as well as its global network - The Filipino Channel or TFC - beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a replay over Studio 23 at 8:30 p.m.

Vargas lost via split decision to WBO minimum weight champion Donnie Nietes last September 12, 2009 after solidifying his hold on the interim title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Walter Trello on December 6, 2008 after scoring a 4th round knockout over Daniel Reyes on April 9, 2008.

Donaire, who went over to Guerrero and consoled the Mexican who had looked forward to his big chance and trained some three months for the shot at Donaire’s WBA super flyweight interim title, felt the disappointment of having to face a substitute but indicated no matter what, he’s ready to put on a show for the fight fans.

Donaire told Guerrero, ”I feel sorry because as a fighter I know how it feels.” Then turning to Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN who speaks Spanish, Donaire told her to tell him “I feel his pain because for me he is a true warrior and I know that he trained really hard for it and I know he’s ready and I’m ready but as a fighter I give him a lot of respect and my heart pains for him as well."

The well-attended press conference hosted by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum at the Shimmer Room of the Las Vegas Hilton had boxing writers abuzz over the possibilities in two other fights where the winners get a crack at a title.

Two former champions Gerry Penalosa and Eric Morel of Puerto Rico clash in a WBO bantamweight interim title fight with the winner promised a crack at the title held by Fernando Montiel who faces undefeated Filipino prospect Cisco "El Terrible" Morales on the same fight card at the Hilton Pavilion where Leon Spinks beat Muhammad Ali to win the world heavyweight title in 1976.

The other eagerly anticipated fight is the featherweight encounter between Bernabe Concepcion and hard-hitting southpaw Mario Santiago with the winner promised a crack at WBO champion Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez who is expected at ringside to watch his next opponent in action.

Morel told us that he is "extremely well prepared, great focus on what I want to do, focused on my future and I will use Gerry Penalosa as a stepping stone." Morel said he "trained very hard against some southpaws and feel great."

The former world champion said his biggest advantage against Penalosa will be his "reach, the speed, the movement and more power." Morel said he is sure Gerry "will keep on coming which is gonna be great. That's the fighter he is but we'll see how he's gonna react."

Penalosa said he is determined to win and take a giant step towards once again becoming a world champion.

Arum described Concepcion and Santiago who start the pay-per-view telecast as "two young men who are outstanding featherweights and there is a real reward for the winner will get an opportunity to challenge this summer for the world championship against Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico."


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 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
  • Jordan Orozco Training Camp Notes
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Towns vs. Bordin for PAT Belt; De Barbo, Nancholas, Samiei in Supporting Bouts at Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Pattaya Beach, Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • YOENIS TELLEZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James ties the most game played in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Pichay supports GM Antonio's Australian chess circuit campaign
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • LIDDARD-DENNY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S COPPER BOX FIGHT NIGHT
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: The WBC Continues the Fight for the Good of the Sport
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • AMMO: ADAMES FIGHT WILL BE EXPLOSIVE
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Carlos De Leon Training Camp Notes
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • The Highly Anticipated  Box Fan Expo Invitational 2026 Returns with A  USA Boxing Amateur Show
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Placibe, Sales tops Sprint Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Lester Martinez vs. Immanuwel Aleem Los Angeles Media Day Quotes
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • MAPUA, PSKAI R-10 to play in Best of Best
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • IIEE Metro East dominates the 4th D’ Engineers’ Darts Cup 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • LIDDARD: WHY I'M RUNNING MATCHROOM HALF MARATHON AFTER TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST DENNY
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: DAZN and Top Rank Sign Multi-Year Rights Deal
    , Thu, 19 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.