Farenas bloodied but unbowed in loss

MANILA, Philippines - Michael Farenas was just a win away from a second crack at a world title but couldn’t hurdle a major stumbling block as he bowed to unbeaten Jose (The Sniper) Pedraza via a unanimous 12-round decision in an IBF superfeatherweight championship eliminator at the 10,000-seat Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, last Friday night (yesterday morning, Manila time).

The win guaranteed Pedraza a shot as the mandatory challenger of IBF 130-pound titleholder Rances Barthelemy of Cuba. Farenas, 30, was the IBF’s No. 2 contender and Pedraza, No 3. The No. 1 spot was vacant and reserved for the winner of the Puerto Rico showdown.

There was no question who deserved the victory. The three judges scored it 117-111, 118-110 and 116-112 for Pedraza. Farenas finished the bout with cuts over both eyes. From start to finish, the Sorsogon brawler kept coming forward, trying to land the one punch to end it all. But the stylish Pedraza wouldn’t oblige to engage, sticking to a fight plan that kept him a safe distance away from the rampaging Farenas.

Pedraza, a former Olympian with a rich amateur background, raced to an early lead and never allowed Farenas to pick up the pace. “Farenas had his moments as he landed a few big power shots but nothing that would prevent Pedraza from executing his game plan,” said Gary Shaw Productions publicist Mario Serrano. “In the championship rounds, Farenas came on strong but it was too late.”

Farenas’ manager Gerry Peñalosa conceded defeat but praised the loser for a gallant effort. “I scored it eight rounds for Pedraza and four for Michael,” said Peñalosa in a message to The Star from ringside in Puerto Rico. “Michael gave his best and wobbled Pedraza twice. He was cut (over) both eyes that bothered him. Pedraza is an A class fighter.”

Despite the setback, Peñalosa said he’s not turning his back on Farenas. “I want him to rest for a couple of weeks then let’s see what’s best for him,” he said. “I’m proud of what he showed and I’ll (continue to) support him all the way.”

Pedraza, who was 15 when Farenas turned pro in 2004, called it a great win for Puerto Rico. “I knew if I stuck to my gameplan which was to box and punch off angles, I would win,” he said. “I want to thank my promoters Gary Shaw, Lou DiBella and Javier Bustillo for their support. I’m ready to challenge Barthelemy for the world title. I know I can bring home another championship to my countrymen in Puerto Rico.”

Shaw said Pedraza boxed beautifully and proved he’s one of the best superfeatherweights in the world today. “There’s no doubt in my mind he has what it takes to unify all the world titles at 130 pounds,” said Shaw.

Experience was clearly on Farenas’ side. The Sorsogon slugger had logged 47 fights compared to Pedraza’s 18. But the odds were clearly stacked against Farenas as the referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. and judge Carlos Colon are Puerto Ricans and the fight was in Puerto Rico where Pedraza is an emerging national hero. Peñalosa said the only option was to score a knockout. Farenas has notched 31 KOs in 39 wins so halting Pedraza was within the realm of the possible.

The fight was initially set at the Coliseo Pedrin Zorrilla which has a seating capacity of 2,000. But as interest in the bout grew, it was brought to the larger Coliseo Roberto Clemente.

Pedraza, 25, raised his record to 19-0, including 12 KOs. He has figured in only four 10-rounders and two 12-rounders in a career that started seven years after Farenas made his pro debut. Farenas’ record shows 18 10-rounders and seven 12-rounders. However, a long history of fighting for his country as an amateur provides Pedraza a solid background of boxing fundamentals. He reached the second round of the 2008 Olympics and won a silver medal at the AIBA World Championships in Milan in 2009. The loss dropped Farenas’ slate to 39-5-4.

In Thursday’s weigh-in, Farenas tipped the scales at 129.8 pounds while Pedraza was on the button at 130. It was the lightest that Farenas has weighed in his last seven outings, indicating a high level of conditioning. Farenas left Manila over a month ago to cap a rigid training schedule at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. In Farenas’ corner for the fight were trainer Erbing Peñalosa, conditioning coach Jay San Pedro and Manny Pacquiao’s former cutman Lenny de Jesus.

“Farenas represents exactly what we wanted,” said Pedraza. “He is a strong and a world-class opponent. I’ve worked very hard to get into this position. Farenas is a very powerful puncher but I knew my boxing skills will prevail and I’ll be victorious.”

Shaw said Pedraza is on the verge of superstardom. “I believe Pedraza is the best 130-pounder in boxing,” he said. “He has all the ability to fight against any style. He’s very popular in his native land of Puerto Rico and I feel he’s on the threshold of some really big fights. Farenas is a big step and a very dangerous fighter because he can end a fight with one punch. With that being said, Pedraza utilized his superior boxing skills to counter the punching power of Farenas.”   

Farenas had won his last five assignments, all by KO, since losing a decision to Cuba’s Yuriorkis Gamboa in Las Vegas in December 2012. Although he was clearly outpointed by Gamboa, Farenas gained the admiration of fight fans by knocking down the Cuban and displaying irrepressible courage.

Last July, Farenas flew to Connecticut to take on previously unbeaten Mark Davis in what was billed as an IBF title eliminator. Curiously, Davis’ record was 18-0, exactly the same slate that Pedraza took to the ring against Farenas. Davis was stopped by Farenas in the eighth round and the Filipino should’ve been assured of a title shot as promised. Instead, the IBF held back and ordered another eliminator. The closest Farenas came to bagging a world title was when he battled defending WBA superfeatherweight champion Takashi Uchiyama to a third round technical draw in Saitama in July 2012. That was his first and only attempt to capture a world crown.