Boxing
Pinoy fighters Jaro, Farenas set title fights in Japan
InterAksyon.com/Eric Apolonio
A rare boxing event takes place on July 16 in Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture Japan, as two Filipino fighters figure in world title fights against Japanese rivals.
World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro meets mandatory challenger Toshiyuki Igarashi, while seventh-rated Michael Farenas vies for the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title of Takashi Uchiyama in a venue called Wing Hat.
Ex-world champion Gerry Penalosa, who manages Farenas, said the Farenas-Uchiyama bout will be the main event.
Farenas will rev up for the heavily-favored Uchiyama in Baguio City, according to Penalosa.
Jaro rose to prominence last March by knocking out Thai legend Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in six rounds to nail the WBC 112-lb crown before a highly-partisan crowd.
Jaro is one of five current Filipino world champions along with Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Brian Viloria and Donnie Nietes.
Penalosa said Farenas has what it takes to join the elite roster with an upset win over the heavy-handed Uchiyama.
Farenas is a seasoned campaigner, having strutted his stuff in Mexico and the US.
“I have faith in him,” said Penalosa.
