Philippines, 11 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


'Fearless' Headliners Make Weight (with photos)


PhilBoxing.com




Las Vegas, Nevada -- Just moments ago, the main combatants for this weekend’s boxing extravaganza dubbed as “Fearless -- the WBC Super Featherweight Championship” put together by the Golden Boy Promotions, easily made weight. Marco Antonio Barrera (63-4 42 KOs), the WBC Super featherweight champion came in at 130 lbs while Juan Manuel Marquez (46-3-1, 35 KOs), the challenger was 129 lbs. The weigh-in was held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Events Center along the world famous “Las Vegas Strip”.

The fighters on the main undercard who will dispute the WBO Super bantamweight diadem, title-holder Daniel Ponce de Leon (30-1-0, 28 KOs) of Mexico and his Filipino challenger, former WBC flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa (51-5-2, 34 KOs) likewise came in within the contracted weight limitation. Both Ponce de Leon and Penalosa came in at 122 lbs.

Latest book-making odds indicate that Penalosa is the underdog. But, an upset is not too far fetched as he is a stylist fighter. In boxing sometimes, style can win over power.

Another fighter of interest to Paclanders who is also involved in tomorrow’s card, Davao City’s Diosdado “Prince” Gabi (28-3-1, 20 KOs) and his new opponent, Antonio Cochero (7-3-0) of Monteria, Columbia also made weight. Gabi tipped the scales at 117.5 lbs and Cochero, 117 lbs. Cochero is a last minute replacement for Oscar Andrade of Mexico.

“Fearless” is billed as the battle of two of the top Mexican featherweights. Barrera and Marquez are almost neighbors, living not too far from each other in Mexico. But since their early boxing days at the fabulous “Forum” in Inglewood, California where they often showcased their talents, they never were matched against each other.

Fate however has its own way of making things happen. With the contract dispute involving Oscar de la Hoya and Bob Arum for Manny Pacquiao’s promotional rights, Barrera and Marquez lost their chances for a big time fight with the Filipino icon. So de la Hoya, who promotes both boxers, in a brilliant move, decided to put up “Fearless” and pitted them against each other.

March 17th maybe is St. Patrick’s Day and should be for the Irish people. But, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, the Mexicans would have nothing of that. Two of their greatest gladiators in a fight not only for the title and the money that goes with it, but for legacy as well, are going against each other. That alone is a cause for a Mexican celebration!

Marquez being the champion is tagged as the slight odds-on favorite. The Marquez people are however looking for an upset.

With that, the fight would be nothing less than a slam-bang affair.

WEIGH-IN PHOTOS (All photos by Dr. Ed de la Vega.)


Marco Antonio Barrera (left) and Juan Manuel Marquez (2nd from right) pose with Golden Boy executives Bernard Hopkins (2nd from left) and Sugar Shane Mosley after the weigh-in at the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas.


Filipino challenger Gerry Penalosa raise his hands after the weigh-in.


WBO super bantam champ Daniel Ponce de Leon of Mexico poses after making weight.


Diosdado Gabi (left) and Antonio Cochero pose after the weigh-in.


Gabi and Cochero face each other off after the weigh-in.




Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • VARGAS: BEATING BAM MAKES ME ‘THE MAN’
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of June 20 Defense Against Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Sanman 101 boxing event to push through in General Santos
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian female champ star Nataly Delgado ready to beat Artiga for WBA title in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pedro Veitia Eager to Separate Himself in Battle of Unbeaten Middleweight Prospects June 13 in Orlando
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Raga, Esquillo, Ortega, Navarrete, Santos, Ripay to compete in Japan 10-Ball Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Chess tournament goes to Dasmarinas Cavite
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Roach Jr. vs. Zepeda Press Conference Quotes
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • Steven Butler to face Edgar Berlanga on July 26 at the Infosys Theater of the Madison Square Garden in New York
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • Nimal Farmer scores signature win over Michael Anderson at Prudential Center
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • H2O EAGER TO MAKE STATEMENT AGAINST FORMER WORLD CHAMPION JOJO DIAZ IN HOMETOWN HEADLINER JUNE 19
    , Wed, 10 Jun 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 JUNE 2026: Ramirez SD Lerrone; Baumstarh SD Bustillos; Vazquez, Mindoro Win in Texas; Yabuki, Moloney, Casimero and Angeletti Win in Japan
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Spurs Take Game 3, Beat Knicks in New York 115-111
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Casimero still rocking
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Mascarinas faces tough competition in 66th San Carlos Charter Day
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Raymond Muratalla Defends IBF Lightweight World Title Against Former Champion Robson Conceicao in Explosive Co-Main Event to Roach Jr. vs. Zepeda
    , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • IBA represented at the United Nations World Cup Diplomacy Summit in New York
    , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Historic Costa Rican former champ Bryan Vasquez is arrested
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Bruce Wren Tatad of Tanza, Cavite rules National Age Group Chess Championship ; vying Singapore chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 09 Jun 2026
  • Suslenkov to face Joyce in a thrilling showdown at IBA PRO 19 in Moscow
    , Mon, 08 Jun 2026
  • Dalton Smith receives inaugural WBC Ricky Hatton Legacy Belt in front of thousands in Mancheste
    , Mon, 08 Jun 2026
  • Stacey King three time NBA Champion with Chicago Bulls passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 08 Jun 2026
  • FM Daluz sweeps 10th AQ Prime chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 08 Jun 2026
  • Llover vows comeback
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 08 Jun 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.