Farenas out to avenge Gerry’s loss

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from bowling over Mexico’s Jesus Rios, featherweight brawler Michael Farenas said the other day he’d like nothing better than to avenge his manager Gerry Peñalosa’s loss to former world superbantamweight and featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez if plans push through to arrange the fight on Feb. 29 either at the Smart Araneta Coliseum or Solaire Resort and Casino.

Farenas was sensational in halting Rios at 2:40 of the second round at Solaire last weekend. He wasn’t concerned at all that the Mexican packed a frightening 83 percent knockout rate with 20 stoppages in 24 wins. Farenas went in for the kill from the onset. Rios was decked twice before referee Ferdinand Estrella stepped in to end the massacre.

Farenas, 29, said Rios never laid a glove on him. “I never felt his power because I didn’t let him hit me,” he said in Pilipino. “I didn’t bother to go to the body because his head was an easy target. After I knocked him down the first time, I knew it would end early. It was getting late so I wanted to get it over with quickly.” The bout started at 1 a.m., the main event in a 12-fight card assembled by MAG Pacman, the new promotions outfit of Manny Pacquiao, gym owner Anson Tiu Co and Peñalosa.

Asked whom he’d like to fight next, Farenas singled out Lopez and another Peñalosa tormentor Daniel Ponce de Leon. He also wouldn’t mind a rematch with Yuriorkis Gamboa but said the Cuban is now campaigning as a lightweight. Farenas, a superfeatherweight, lost a decision to Gamboa in Las Vegas last year but floored the Cuban in the ninth round.

Peñalosa said he’s awaiting word from Top Rank matchmaker Brad Goodman if Farenas will be included in the “Ring of Gold” bill in Macau on Feb. 22. He mentioned Puerto Rico’s Rocky Martinez or Diego Magdaleno, an American of Mexican descent, as possible opponents for Farenas in Macau. Last April, Martinez retained his WBO superfeatherweight crown via a split decision over Magdaleno in Macau. Martinez then lost the title to Mikey Garcia. Magdaleno has come back from the Martinez defeat to outpoint Edgar Riovalle last September.

Farenas’ preference is Lopez. A southpaw like Farenas, Lopez forced Peñalosa to retire in the 10th round of their WBO superbantamweight title fight in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, four years ago.  Lopez, 30, is a come-forward slugger who never backs down and a duel with Farenas will surely be a barn-burner. Lopez’ record is 33-3, with 30 KOs. He has lost to Orlando Salido twice and to Garcia, all inside the distance. For Lopez, it’s either he knocks out his opponent or he’s knocked out himself. Another option is Ponce de Leon who outpointed Peñalosa in a WBO superbantamweight title bout in Sacramento in 2007. Ponce de Leon, 33, was knocked out by Lopez in a single round a year later. The Mexican Aztec left-hander has a 45-5 record, including 35 KOs. His losses were to Gamboa, Lopez, Adrien Broner, Abner Mares and Celestino Caballero – all former world champions.

Farenas has now won three in a row, all by knockout, since losing to Gamboa. With the win over Rios, he’s hoping to crash the ratings of the WBC, WBA and WBO. Farenas is ranked No. 15 by the IBF but he’s exploring possibilities of challenging WBC champion Takashi Miura, WBA ruler Takashi Uchiyama (whom he fought to a technical draw in July last year), WBO titlist Garcia and IBF king Argenis Mendez. Farenas turned pro in 2004 and has a 37-4-4 record, with 29 KOs.