Hard-hitting southpaw Michael Farenas sparred six rounds at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles yesterday under the watchful eye of trainer Carl Penalosa, former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa and strength and conditioning coach Jay San Pedro.
Gerry Penalosa told the Manila Standard/Viva Sports that Farenas sparred six rounds against Jesus ?Speedy? Gonzales who sometimes serves as a sparring partner of ?Fighter of the Decade? Manny Pacquiao, and tough undefeated Chinese fighter IK Yang.
Penalosa said his prot?g? Farenas ?looks very good? as he steps up preparations for his International Boxing Federation super featherweight title eliminator against undefeated Puerto Rican Jose ?Sniper? Pedraza in Puerto Rico on November 15.
Penalosa informed us that Farenas? weight right now is 138 pounds and he doesn?t think he?ll have problems making the 130 pound weight limit on the eve of the title eliminator with the winner earning a crack at champion Rances Barthelemy.
The 31 year old Filipino is ranked No. 2 by the IBF behind a record of 39-4-4 with 31 knockouts while the 25 year old No. 6 ranked Pedraza is unbeaten with a record of 18-0 with 12 knockouts.
Farenas is coming off a rousing 8th round TKO over previously undefeated Mark ?Too Sharp? Davis last July 2 while Pedraza won the vacant International Boxing Organization super feathjerweight/junioer lightweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Alberto Garza on March 22 this year.
Penalosa had previously expressed his concern over the assignment of a Puerto Rican referee Roberto Ramirez Sr and Puerto Rican judge Carlos Colon but said IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker assured him that he would be the fight supervisor and indicated Penalosa had no need to worry.
However, Penalosa said he wants Farenas, a devastating puncher to take the decision out of the hands of the judges which means having to win by stoppage.
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