Former World Professional Boxing Federation Featherweight champion Filipino Michael “The Hammerfist” Farenas faces Mexican fighter Hector Velazquez for the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council Super Featherweight title on March 21 at The Filoil Flying V Arena, San Juan City.
The bout, dubbed “Laban Ng Lahi, Michael Farenas vs. Hector Velazquez,” will be aired on GMA Channel 7 on March 22 at 2:45PM after Eat Bulaga.
Farenas, who turned pro in 2004, has fought in several international undercard matches of Manny Pacquiao fights. The first was in 2008 during Pacquiao vs. Marquez II against Mexican boxer Baudel Cardenas. Then, during the 2010 Pacquiao vs. Clottey match, where he was pitted against American boxer Joe Morales. And finally, in 2012 during Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV, he faced Cuban boxer Yuriorkis Gamboa.
The 29-year-old southpaw from Sorsogon gained his latest win against Mexican Jesus Rios last December 2013, beating Rios via a technical knockout in the second round.
Currently, he is ranked no. 15 by the International Boxing Federation and holds a record of 37 wins (29 KO), 4 losses and 4 draws.
Meanwhile, his opponent Hector Velazquez from Mexico is a former WBC Continental Americas Super Featherweight Champion, having won the title against Bobby Pacquiao in 2006.
In 2005, he lost to Manny Pacquiao via a sixth round TKO in their fight for the vacant WBC International Super Featherweight title.
Velazquez holds a record of 56 wins (38 KO), 20 losses, and 3 draws, winning his most recent fight via unanimous decision last January 5, 2014 against fellow Mexican Oscar Arenas in a non-title fight.
Farenas versus Velazquez, a 12-round fight presented by GMA and MAG Pacman Promotions, is a partnership between 8-Division World Champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, 2-Division World Champion Gerry Peñalosa, and Boxing Promoter Anson Tiu Co.