Earlier today at the Hilton Hotel the final press conference for Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 was held. While the card doesn’t have any mega fights or dramatic storylines surrounding it, the lineup of fights figures to be competitive and full of action. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum started the conference off, as is always the case, by stating the event was ‘really wonderful’ as it pits some of today’s top Filipino fighters against some credible Latin names. The card’s four main attractions are an interim WBA Super Flyweight title defense by Nonito Donaire, a WBO Bantamweight title eliminator between Gerry Penalosa and Eric Morel, a WBO Bantamweight championship clash between champion Fernando Montiel and undefeated Ciso Morales, and last but not least a 10 round Featherweight clash between Bernabe Concepcion and Mario Santiago. Santiago told the assembled press that he ‘deserved to be here’ while giving respect to his opponent. Santiago also claimed that on February 13th everyone can expect fireworks and a good show from him and Concepcion. The winner of Santiago-Concepcion could very well find themselves in the ring with newly crowned WBO Featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez, who dethroned Steven Luevano last month in New York with a seventh round TKO. 14-0 Ciso Morales told everyone to ‘pray’ that all of the Filipino fighters in attendance prevail. Giving the likely competitive nature of the bouts, it is a tall order to follow. After Morales was done speaking Montiel took the dais and claimed that he was well prepared for the bout. Sporting a 39-2-2 record, Montiel has been on the championship scene for several years now. The bout can be looked at as a ‘youth vs. experience’ affair and Montiel should be favored due to his past accomplishments and array of talent. One of the evening’s most competitive bouts figures to be the Penalosa-Morel showdown. The two former champions have both been very confident and vocal leading up to their match. Before Penalosa spoke Arum was sure to point out that the former Super Flyweight and Bantamweight champion has been one of boxing’s ‘greatest warriors ever seen’. When it was his turn to speak Penalosa remained low key, simply stating that ‘It’s a great fight coming up’. Morel won the WBA Flyweight belt in August of 2000 and is looking to regain his championship glory. Morel would tell everyone who was listening that he ‘I’m here, I’m back, and I still got it’. The Puerto Rican will definitely need to be at his top form when taking on Penalosa, who has shown that he is still very capable and dangerous despite his advanced age. Some disappointing news hit when Arum announced that Donaire’s scheduled opponent, Gerson Guerrero, wouldn’t be fighting on the card because of an eye abnormality. It was later revealed the Mexican suffered from a detached retina and that Donaire’s replacement will likely be Manuel Vargas. Despite seeming befuddled at the news, Donaire kept a positive outlook. “This happens in boxing,” Donaire stated. “I just keep telling myself that it’s part of God’s plan. I’m still ready for anything and everything.” The card takes place this coming February 13th at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
