Farenas in must-win bout tonite

MANILA, Philippines - There’s no reason why Michael Farenas shouldn’t win over unbeaten Mark (Too Sharp) Davis in their scheduled 12-round IBF superfeatherweight title eliminator at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, tonight (tomorrow morning, Manila time) but if he loses, it could mean the beginning of the end of his boxing career.

“Michael has all the advantages,” said Farenas’ manager Gerry Penalosa who flew in from Manila the other day to watch the bout at ringside. “He’s not getting any younger. This is his big chance. We want to fight for the championship this year but he has to beat Davis first. Michael has the experience and power to win. Jet lag isn’t a problem as Michael has been in the US for a month. He trained with Freddie (Roach) and Marvin (Somodio) at Wild Card. He’s well-prepared. No excuses to lose.”

Somodio will work Farenas’ corner with Lenny de Jesus, a New York cutman with over 40 years of experience doing work for Manny Pacquiao, Roberto Duran, Joel Casamayor and Wilfredo Gomez. At the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, Farenas sparred about 50 rounds with a team of four including veteran Roger (Speedy) Gonzalez and Russian lightweight Denis Shafikov.

Davis, 27, has an 18-0 record, with five KOs. Eight of his last nine bouts went the distance, indicating suspect power. The former two-time US national amateur champion from Columbus, Ohio, hasn’t fought in 10 months and in his last outing, decisioned journeyman Carlos Vinan who came in with a mediocre 10-10-5 record.

Farenas, 30, has compiled a 38-4-4 record, with 30 KOs, since turning pro in 2004. Two years ago, he took on WBA superfeatherweight titlist Takashi Uchiyama in Saitama but the fight ended in a third round technical draw. Farenas has won four in a row, all by knockout, since losing to Cuba’s Yuriorkis Gamboa in a WBA title eliminator in Las Vegas in December 2012.

“Davis will rely on his footwork and speed,” said Penalosa. “He won’t go for a knockout although we know he has decent power. He’s basically a jab-straight-duck fighter. Michael can’t afford to just stand in front of Davis. We expect Davis to move so Michael has to pressure and attack.”

Penalosa said he’s confident that Farenas will pull through. “I think Davis lacks experience,” the former two-time world champion added. “Michael is a tested fighter who has fought some of the best. This is more of an acid test for Davis than Michael. Davis hasn’t fought the quality of fighters that Michael has. What I’m worried about is if it goes the distance. Davis will try to win it on points. Michael has to find a way to knock out Davis so it doesn’t go to the judges.”

Penalosa said he hopes Farenas will make it to the list of Filipino world champions sooner than later. If Farenas beats Davis, he’ll be in line to challenge the winner of the July 10 fight between IBF superfeatherweight champion Argenis Mendez of the Dominican Republic and No. 1 contender Rances Barthelemy of Cuba.

The reigning Filipino world titleholders are Manny Pacquiao (WBO welterweight), Nonito Donaire (WBA featherweight), Donnie Nietes (WBO lightflyweight), Edrin Dapudong (IBO superflyweight), Bruno Escalante (IBA superflyweight) and Rey Loreto (IBO lightflyweight). Dapudong is set to stake his crown against Lwandile Sityatha in South Africa on July 18.

Penalosa said IBF chairman of the championship committee Lindsey Tucker has confirmed that the Farenas-Davis winner will be the next mandatory challenger. Penalosa said after tonight’s fight, he’ll fly back to Manila to attend to an urgent business matter but he might return to the US for the Mendez-Barthelemy bout in Miami.

“Once Michael wins, I’ll be ready to talk with the promoter of either Mendez or Barthelemy,” said Penalosa. “If I have to go to Miami to negotiate, I will. Mike Tyson is Mendez’ promoter so if Mendez retains the title, I’ll talk to him. I don’t think there’s a need for a bidding. We can just settle things by talking.”

Penalosa said Farenas has sacrificed a lot to get ready for Davis. “He hasn’t seen his wife and son for a long time,” said Penalosa. “I know how hard he has prepared for this fight. I told him he might not get another chance to fight for a title so he can’t afford to lose to Davis.”

What might work to Davis’ disadvantage is the 130-pound limit. The weigh-in was scheduled this morning (Manila time). Davis has never fought at 130 and four years ago, even scaled 140 for a bout. In 2011, he beat Guillermo Sanchez in a fight for the vacant WBC US superfeatherweight championship but couldn’t claim the title because of weight issues. Davis was three pounds over the limit at the weigh-in. Even if he makes 130 for the Farenas bout, he’ll likely bloat to at least 140 when the bell rings and that will slow him down.

Penalosa said Farenas has an opportunity to showcase his skills before a wide audience because the fight will be aired all over the US on ESPN. The card is being staged by rapper 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions. 50 Cent is using the ESPN show as a platform to celebrate his 39th birthday on July 6.

Farenas is not rated by any major governing body except the IBF. He is ranked No. 4 while Davis is No. 11. Farenas is coming off a second round technical knockout over Mexico’s Hector Velazquez last March.