Philippines, 20 Dec 2025
  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:

  • Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • 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




  •  



     
    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.